Zoo database

Pinnipeds

Odobenus rosmarus/Otariinae/Pinnipedia

Natural diet Pinnipeds

Pinnipeds are a group of carnivorous marine mammals that include seals, sea lions, and walruses. They vary greatly in size, with adult weights ranging from a few kilograms to over a thousand kilograms. Their natural diets mainly consist of fish and squid, but crustaceans, marine mammals, sea birds and plankton/krill is sometimes also consumed.

Fish
Fish
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Pinnipeds

Feed quantity per day

5-10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 150 kg and eats 10% of its body weight, it will get
 
150 x 0.1 = 15 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Fish products
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 15 kg = 14,850 g fish products
0.01 x 15 kg = 150 g supplements

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of fish

Squid

Supplements

Not recommended

Live prey

Common diseases

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

  • Renal disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Anorexia
  • Hepatic lipidosis
  • Dental disease

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Feed at least three different species of fish (herring, smelt, mackerel or capelin).
  • The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
  • During the winter, the daily food intake increases and they should be fed accordingly.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using ice cubes with frozen fish, large fish heads and feed balls stuffed with fish (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Species within this group

  • Walrus
  • California sea lion
  • Steller sea lion
  • Harp seal
  • Hooded seal
  • Gray seal
Pinnipeds | Kiezebrink