Comparison of growth and nutritional status of juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) maintained on rodent or poultry‐based diets

Abstract

Nutrition and growth data were collected on six juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) over 20 months. The animals were captive-bred from two separate clutches, laid 6 months apart. Three animals were fed a rodent diet, and the other three were fed a poultry-based diet. The animals were all weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected monthly. Blood samples were analyzed for sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), 25-OH-D, and cholesterol. Significant differences (Po0.05) were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) (1.12 vs. 0.90 %BW) and gross energy intake (GEI) (182.3 vs. 143.0 kcal GE/d), between rodent and poultry-based diets, respectively. However, there were no differences in growth (average daily gain ¼ 6.13 vs. 6.33 g BW/d) between the two dietary treatments. Blood Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, and 25-OH-D concentrations were similar across treatments, while cholesterol levels were higher in the animals maintained on the rodent-based diet.

Successful captive breeding of Mitchell's water monitor, Varanus mitchelli (Mertens 1958), at Perth Zoo

“…2). This compares with weight increases of approximately 0.6 g per day for V. varius [Boylan, 1995] and 6 g per day for V. komodoensis [Lemm et al, 2004]. Boylan [1995] fed a range of food types in a similar method to this study suggesting a similarity in the growth pattern.…”

“…The difference in weight would be owing to the relative size of the different species. Lemm et al [2004] conducted their research on growth rates of Komodo dragons using turkey mince as the base diet. This could have influenced the growth rate of their study animals and explain the high rate of growth.…”

Life expectancy and longevity of varanid lizards (Reptilia:Squamata:Varanidae) in North American zoos

“…Considerable details are known about the ecology [Auffenberg, ; Ciofi et al, ; Imansyah et al, ], blood chemistry [Gillespie et al, ; Gyimesi and Burns, ], thermal biology [McNab and Auffenberg, 1976; Green et al, ; Walsh et al, ; Gillespie et al, ], nutrition and vitamin D3 metabolism [Allen et al, ; Nijboer et al, ; Lemm et al, ], medicine and surgery [Spelman, ], sex determination [Judd et al, ; Hildebrandt et al, ; Morris et al, 1996; Halverson and Spelman, 2002], and behavioral management [Burghardt et al, ; Sunter, ] of V. komodoensis . This abundance of information on the biology and captive management of V. komodoensis is in stark contrast to most other varanid species for which analogous material is lacking, and has undoubtedly helped zoos develop more biologically appropriate husbandry practices and enclosure designs for V. komodoensis , thereby improving welfare and lifespans.…”