Survey of the feeding management of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) in the EAZA ex-situ programme.

Abstract

Feeding giant anteaters and tamanduas as insectivorous species provides a lot of challenges for zoological institutions. In the last decades an in-house mixture, called 'Dortmund mixture', was the most common feed used in giant anteaters and tamanduas in many countries within the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ex-situ Programme (EEP). Some nutritional problems occurred due to imbalances in the diets. The more recent nutritional recommendations for both species advise an adapted and balanced complete feed formulated for insectivorous species due to different problems arising with an in-house mixed feed as Dortmund mixture. To objectify the present situation a questionnaire was designed and sent out to 78 institutions of the EEPs for giant anteater(s) and tamandua(s). The questionnaire was divided into different sections and asked for data on husbandry, health status, feeding, especially feed composition, feed supplementation and faecal consistency. It was completed by 45 institutions with data for 130 animals, 89 giant anteaters and 41 tamanduas. The data thus represent 54% and 59% of the EEP populations. For both species, a complete feed is mainly utilised. Especially institutions that have integrated anteaters and tamanduas into their facilities during the last 10 and 20 years, use a complete feed. Regarding the in-house mixtures, there are distinct differences, both in composition and amount of each ingredient used. The evaluation of the feeds used for enrichment, for example, shows a clear species difference. While in tamanduas mainly insects are used for this purpose, in giant anteaters it is mainly fruits and avocado. In contrast to the past, many anteaters today are fed an adapted complete feed. Surprisingly, concerning feeding supplements the use of fat-soluble vitamins and combined vitamin-mineral preparations is still common in both species. More effort needs to be put into enforcing current feeding recommendations, especially for the giant anteaters.