Zoo database

Tamandua

T. tetradactyla

Natural diet Tamandua

The tamandua is an insectivore that mainly consumes ants and termites. Their diet is supplemented with honey, bees and some fruits although these fractions are small.

Fruits
Fruits
Insects
Insects

Feeding advice Tamandua

Feed quantity per day

3-5%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 4 kg and eats 3% of its body weight, it will get
 
4 x 0,03 = 0,12 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

10% Insects and other invertebrates
90% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0,1 x 0,12 kg = 12 g insects and other invertebrates
0,9 x 0,12 kg = 108 g concentrates

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of small insects
Live insects

In moderation

Peat (only sifted)

Not recommended

Fruits
Vegetables

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Hypervitaminosis D
  • Extensive hyperostosis of the thoracic
  • Rear limb paresis
  • Vitamin K deficiency
  • Lumbar
  • Flaccid paralysis
  • Coccygeal vertebrae

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Supplement concentrates to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals.
  • Feed small insects, as larger ones might cause blockages.
  • Fruits and vegetables with long fiber structures can injure the tongue and cause choking.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by feeding live insects or placing insects inside of rotten logs (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).