[Feeding of reptiles: practice and problems]

Reptiles show a high degree of physiological adaptation to their habitates. The digestive tract is characteristic in herbi- or folivorous, omni-, ovi- and carnivorous species, mainly differing in the length and volume of small and large intestine. The specialization requires adequate feeding methods for captured reptiles, not only with regards to the composition of the diet, but also to the feeding techniques. The quantitative knowledge of energy and nutrient requirements is still incomplete and feeding experiments are urgently required. Energy demand for maintenance is considerably lower than in warm blooded species (around 50-60 kJ ME/kg BW0.75/d). Nutritional disorders are found mainly in herbivorous species, especially if unbalanced rations with only one or two feedstuffs are offered. Among nutrient deficiencies, concerning vitamins and minerals, overdosage of some nutrients is encountered occasionally, which may be detrimental especially in case of vitamin A and D.