Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Food preference of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, Linnaeus, 1758) under human care

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Veterinary Research Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the food preference of nine banded armadillos kept in captivity, exposed to four different diets: Diet 1 (D1) - dry dog food and ground beef; Diet 2 (D2) - dry dog food, ground beef, and chicken eggs; Diet 3 (D3) - dog food, ground beef, bananas, and papaya; Diet 4 (D4) - dog food, ground beef, chicken eggs, banana, and papaya. To this end, an experiment was carried out for five weeks, the first four of which were for preliminary management and the fifth week for data collection. Frequency of consumption, total intake for each diet, and intake ratio were evaluated. The dietary preference was higher for the diets with a higher protein percentage (D1 and D2), mainly D2, which presented increased demand and intake starting on the fourth day of observation. In second day of observation, D1 presented the higher intake ratio, but D2 gradually replaced it. The diet containing the lowest protein rate (D3) was the least favored on all observation days and evaluations. In conclusion, the food preference of ex-situ armadillos seems to be related to the inclusion of greater amounts of protein, particularly that of animal origin, with eggs being the most appreciated ingredient in this study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • da Anacleto TC S (2007) Food habits of four armadillo species in the Cerrado area, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Zoological Stud 46(4):529–537

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho R, Lins-Lainson ZC, Lainson R (1997) Breeding nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in captivity. Contemporary Topics. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 36(3):66–68

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho MM, Pieri NCG, Pereira KF, Lima FC, Carniatto CHO, Miglino MA, Ricci RE, Martins DS (2014) Comparative characterization of the intestine of species from the Xenarthra Order. Pesqui Vet Bras 34(1):49–56. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2014001300010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casali DM, Martins-Santos E, Santos ALQ, Miranda FR, Mahecha GAB, Perini FA (2017) Morphology of the tongue of Vermilingua (Xenarthra: Pilosa) and evolutionary considerations. J Morphol 278:1380–1399. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20718

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Catapani ML, Pires JSR, Vasconcellos AS (2019) Single- or pair-housed: wich is better for captive southern tamanduas? J Appl Anim Welf Sci 22(3):289–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2018.1508352

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cunha HF, Carrijo TF, Prestes AC, Arruda LS, Rezende PB, Santos T, Brandão D (2015) Food preference of giant anteater and collared anteater (Pilosa, Myrmecophagidae) regarding the termite defense strategies. Bioscience J 31(1):234–241. https://doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v31n1a2015-23360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte AC, Superina M, Trujillo F (2015) Ethogram for three armadillo species (Dasypus sabanicola, D. novemcinctus and Cabassous unicinctus) kept in a controlled environment in Villavicencio. Colombia Edentata 16:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Fekete SG, Fodor K, Proháczik A, Andrásofszky E (2005) Comparison of feed preference and digestion of three different commercial diets for cats and ferrets. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr 89:199–202. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2005.00536.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gallo JA, Abba AM, Elizalde L, Di Nucci D, Ríos TA, Ezquiaga MC (2017) First study on food habits of anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla, at the southern limit of their distribution. Mammalia 81(6):601–604. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2016-0117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibb GC, Condamine FL, Kuch M, Enk J, Moraes-Barros N, Superina M, Poinar HN, Delsuc F (2016) Shotgun mitogenomics provides a reference phylogenetic framework and timescale for living xenarthrans. Mol Biol Evol 33(3):621–642. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msv250

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jiménez NL, Di Blanco YE, Calcaterra LA (2018) Ant diversity in the diet of giant anteaters Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae), in the Iberá Nature Reserve. Argentina Mastozool Neotrop 25(2):305–318. https://doi.org/10.31687/saremMN.18.25.2.0.16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leuchner L, Nofs SA, Dierenfeld ES, Horvath P (2017) Chitin supplementation in the diets of captive giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) for improved gastrointestinal function. J Zoo Aquar Res 5(2):92–96. https://doi.org/10.19227/jzar.v5i2.170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNab BK (1985) Energetics, population biology, and distribution of Xenarthrans, living and extinct. In: Montgomery GG (ed) The evolution and ecology of armadillos, sloths and vermilinguas. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London, USA and UK, pp 219–232

    Google Scholar 

  • McNab BK (2008) An analysis of the factors that influence the level and scaling of mammalian BMR. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 151:5–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2008.05.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Medri IM, Mourão GM, Rodrigues FHG (2006) Xenarthra Order. In: Reis NR (ed) Brazilian mammals. Nélio R. dos Reis, Londrina, Brazil, pp 71–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Morford S, Meyers MA (2003) Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) diet survey. Edentata 5:20–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Neves IC, Rocha-Lima ABC (2019) Experimental test on the behavioral repertory related to the foraging giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758) ex situ. Biodiversidade 18(2):57–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Ober HK, Degroote LW, Mcdonough CM, Mizell RF III, Mankin RW (2011) Identification of an Attractant for the Nine-Banded Armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus. Wildl Soc Bull 35(4):421–429. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oonincx DGAB, Dierenfeld ES (2012) An Investigation Into the Chemical Composition of Alternative Invertebrate Prey. Zoo Biol 29:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20382

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Power ML, Watts SM, Murtough KL, Knight FM (2018) Macronutrient composition of milk of captive nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). J Mammal 99(2):498–504. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyy011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsey PR, Tyler DF, Waddil JR, Storrs EE (1981) Blood chemistry and nutritional balance of wild and captive armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus L.). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 69(3):517–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(81)93013-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Redford KH (1986) Dietary specialization and variation in two mammalian myrmecophages (variation in mammalian myrmecophagy). Revista Chil de Historia Nat 59(1):201–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Redford KH (1985) In: Montgomery G (ed) Food habits of armadillos (XENARTHRA: DASYPODIDAE). The evolution and ecology of armadillos, sloths, and vermilinguas. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington & London

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva JR (2015) Use of dry distillery waste containing solubles (DDGS), with and without xylanase, in the feeding of dogs. Doctoral thesis. Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

  • Superina M, Brieva RC, Aguilar RF, Trujillo F (2014) Armadillo maintenance and rehabilitation manual. Fundación Omacha, ODL, Cormacarena, Corporinoquia, Corpometa y Bioparque Los Ocarros, Bogotá, Colombia

Download references

Acknowledgements

To the “Lauro de Souza Lima” Institute for all institutional support, partnership, infrastructure, and staff support throughout this work. To the “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento Pessoal de Nível Superior” (CAPES), Brazil, for financial support. To Fruta Nobre – CEASA Bauru for supplying the fruits used in the experiment.

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Wild Animals Postgraduate, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carolyne Assis Eigenheer Pinke Testa, Alicía Giolo Hippólito & Maira Beatriz Gandolfi Silva

  2. Lauro de Souza Lima” Institute, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

    Patrícia Sammarco Rosa

  3. Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil

    Thiago Ferla Novais de Castro

  4. School of Agriculture Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

    Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori

  5. Department of Veterinary Clinical, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 18618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

    Carolyne Assis Eigenheer Pinke Testa, Priscyla Tatiana Chalfun Guimarães-Okamoto & Alessandra Melchert

Authors
  1. Carolyne Assis Eigenheer Pinke Testa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Patrícia Sammarco Rosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thiago Ferla Novais de Castro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alicía Giolo Hippólito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maira Beatriz Gandolfi Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Priscyla Tatiana Chalfun Guimarães-Okamoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Alessandra Melchert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by C.A.E. Pinke Testa, P.S. Rosa and T.F.N. de Castro. Material analysis was performed by C.A.E. Pinke Testa, M.M.P. Sartori and A. Melchert. The first draft of the manuscript was written by C.A.E. Pinke Testa and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. A.G. Hippólito, P.T.C. Guimarães-Okamoto and M.B.G. Silva assisted with writing (review and editing).

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carolyne Assis Eigenheer Pinke Testa.

Ethics declarations

Competing Interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use of School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil (10.19.2017 / protocol number 0203/2017 – CEUA) and obtained authorization from Biodiversity Information and Authorization System (SISBIO), a division of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) (10.25.2017 / protocol number 60819-1 / registration number 65136496).

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent to Publish

Authors declare consent to publish research data.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pinke Testa, C.A.E., Rosa, P.S., de Castro, T.F.N. et al. Food preference of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, Linnaeus, 1758) under human care. Vet Res Commun 46, 1297–1302 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-022-09974-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-022-09974-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation