Captive alligators and crocodiles are usually fed a combination of rodents, poultry, fish, and meat-based diets. A varied diet is recommended. Diets consisting primarily of fish should include three or more different species of fish and should be supplemented with 30–35 mg of thiamine and 100 IU vitamin E/kg of fish, as fed. Signs of vitamin E deficiency (eg, steatitis) have been reported in crocodilians fed fish inadequately supplemented with vitamin E. Although previously reported otherwise, alligators can digest some carbohydrate; however, the total carbohydrate in the diet should not exceed 20%. Commercial, dry alligator diets are being marketed, largely to reduce the cost and to improve nutrient intakes of farmed alligators; their use is still uncommon in zoos.
OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER
Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals
Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals
Nutrition in Birds
Nutrition in Psittacines
Nutrition in Passerines
Nutrition in Pigeons and Doves
Nutrition in Raptors
Nutrition in Piscivorous (Fish-eating) Birds
Nutrition in Waterfowl
Nutrition in Quail, Pheasants, Turkeys, and other Gallinaceous Birds
Nutrition in Ostriches, Emus, and other Ratites
Nutrition in Mynahs
Nutrition in Toucans and Hornbills
Handrearing Zoo Mammals
Nutrition in Bats
Nutrition in Zoo Carnivores
Nutrition in Insectivores, Edentates, and Aardvarks
Nutrition in Marine Mammals
Nutrition in Marsupials
Nutrition in Primates
Nutrition in Rodents and Lagomorphs
Nutrition in Ungulates and Subungulates
Nutrition in Reptiles
Nutrition in Alligators, Crocodiles, and Other Crocodilians
Nutrition in Snakes
Nutrition in Turtles
Nutrition in Tortoises
Nutrition in Lizards
Nutrition in Fish