DK Leaf-eater BasicDK038
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More informationWestern Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Natural diet Western Lowland Gorilla
The western lowland gorilla is an opportunistic herbivore that consumes a variety of leaves and other plants based on their availability. While fruits and seeds are favored, in their absence roots, barks and herbs are consumed as well.
Feeding advice Western Lowland Gorilla
Feed quantity per day
5-10%
Sample percentage calculation
If an animal weighs 100 kg and eats 5% of its body weight, it will get
100 x 0.05 = 5 kg feed in total per day
Feed composition
50% Leafy greens and cabbages
20% Other vegetables
25% Browse
5% Other
Proportions (fresh product)
0.5 x 5 kg = 2,500 g leafy greens and cabbages
0.2 x 5 kg = 1,000 g other vegetables
0.25 x 5 kg = 1,250 g browse
0.05 x 5 kg = 250 g other
Feeding advice Western Lowland Gorilla
Feed quantity per day
5-10%
Sample percentage calculation
If an animal weighs 100 kg and eats 5% of its body weight, it will get
100 x 0.05 = 5 kg feed in total per day
Feed composition
50% Leafy greens and cabbages
20% Other vegetables
25% Browse
5% Other
Proportions (fresh product)
0.5 x 5 kg = 2,500 g leafy greens and cabbages
0.2 x 5 kg = 1,000 g other vegetables
0.25 x 5 kg = 1,250 g browse
0.05 x 5 kg = 250 g other
Diet Suggestions
Recommended
Variety of browse (willow, aspen, birch, rowan)
Variety of leafy and green vegetables
Variety of watery and root vegetables
In moderation
Insects
Not recommended
Fruits
Common diseases
An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Additional advice
- Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least three feeding moments per day.
- Although present in their natural diet, feeding fruits might lead to abnormal fermentation in the hindgut because of high sugar levels in cultivated fruits compared to wild fruits (read more about nutritional values of (wild) fruits and vegetables).
- Supplement a diverse selection of vegetables (read more about differences between vegetables).
- Provide less palatable food in the morning, when hunger is greatest.
- Feeding in bowls is not recommended.
- Stimulate foraging behaviour by hiding, stacking or hanging the feed. Examples can be feeding puzzles, tubes, hanging boxes and/ or scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).
Diet Suggestions
Recommended
Variety of browse (willow, aspen, birch, rowan)
Variety of leafy and green vegetables
Variety of watery and root vegetables
In moderation
Insects
Not recommended
Fruits
Common diseases
An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Ulcerative colitis
