Effect of ascorbic acid on food preference and consumption in captive capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Alvarez, Martín Roberto Del Valle; Kravetz, Fernando O.

doi:10.1590/s1516-89132009000300011

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Experimentally induced acute vitamin C deficiency in capybaras results in bleeding gums, broken incisors, joint weakness, and difficulty in flexing joints with clinical signs first appearing after ∼25 days [Cueto et al, ]. A short‐term (24‐hr preference trials over 2 mo) study with captive capybara demonstrated no change in food intake whether presented vitamin C‐deficient or adequate diets [Alvarez and Kravetz, ].…”

Section: Statement Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Added dietary vegetables and fruits improved coat quality of capybara in Seoul Zoo, Republic of Korea: A case study

Shim

Dierenfeld²

2016

Zoo Biology

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Adequate levels of dietary vitamin C are necessary for capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrocharis) because they cannot synthesize the vitamin endogenously. Beginning in 2013, hair and weight loss, as well as general dermatitis, were observed in all individual capybaras (n = 4) in a mixed exhibit at Seoul Zoo. Seven additional vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits that increased dietary vitamin C concentration from ∼300-400 to >600 mg/kg dry matter were added to the diet since January 2015. Within 6 months, capybaras' skin and coats improved considerably, with hair becoming thicker and glossier. Animals visually appeared healthier and gained weight. In conclusion, hair loss, dermatitis, and weight loss in capybara can be improved by feeding enough fresh green leaves, vegetables, and fruits. Although vitamin C is considered a major factor for alleviation of poor body condition observed, increased status of other nutrients (i.e., vitamin B ) provided by the diet change may also have contributed to the improvements seen in the capybara. Zoo Biol. 36:50-55, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Section: Statement Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Added dietary vegetables and fruits improved coat quality of capybara in Seoul Zoo, Republic of Korea: A case study

Shim

Dierenfeld²

2016

Zoo Biology

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“…Other studies have investigated the complex interplay between food preference and specific nutrients in food items (Kawata & Elsen, 1992;Lalremruati & Solanki, 2018). It was initially proposed that animals will seek out specific essential nutrients because it is adaptive to do so; however, food preference studies demonstrate that most species do not seek out essential nutrients but instead choose food items according to other properties like carbohydrates, total energy, and crude protein (Alvarez & Kravetz, 2009;Jildmalm et al, 2008;Laska et al, 2000;Remis, 2002;Zoidis & Markowitz, 1992). These results also demonstrate that it remains necessary to directly assess food preference for a given species; it is not currently possible to deduce preference hierarchies from nutritional analyses of food alone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating food preference in zoo‐housed meerkats

Brox¹,

Edwards

Buist

et al. 2021

Zoo Biology

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Understanding food preference among animals in human care can support improvements to welfare through training and day-to-day care (e.g., diet management).Little has been published about food preference in zoo-housed meerkats. Assessing meerkat food preference would be useful, not only for the welfare of that species, but also for developing approaches to assessing food preference in other grouphoused, social species. The specific aim of this study was to quantify food preference within the meerkat mob at Wellington Zoo. We developed a simple, cost-effective method for characterizing the food preference hierarchy in meerkats by presenting pairs of foods to the mob as a group. We observed stable preference with the hierarchy for pups closely resembling that for adults. This study demonstrated that it is possible to assess food preference and identify a food preference hierarchy for a group of animals from a social species where it was neither practical nor appropriate to assess individuals' preferences separately.

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Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Hokamp

Chiacchio

Matushima

2020

Exotic Animal Laboratory Diagnosis

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Effect of ascorbic acid on food preference and consumption in captive capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the short and long term influences of ascorbic acid on

Cited by 3 publications

References 17 publications

Added dietary vegetables and fruits improved coat quality of capybara in Seoul Zoo, Republic of Korea: A case study

Added dietary vegetables and fruits improved coat quality of capybara in Seoul Zoo, Republic of Korea: A case study

Investigating food preference in zoo‐housed meerkats

Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

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