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Protein and Energy Relationships in the Diet of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)¹

Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 ^* Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken, SC 29801 ^** Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Grand Chenier, LA 70643

First-year alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) averaging 377–857 g body weight were fed diets containing various levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate. In experiment 1, nine diets arranged in a centrally rotatable composite design contained 0–36% extruded corn and 4–20% total fat. Response surface analysis predicted maximum responses in performance criteria at 6.3–18.8% corn and 15.8–27.4% fat. Corn inclusion at up to 27–36% of diet resulted in equal or improved performance compared to carbohydrate-free diets of equal fat content. Energy digestibility averaged 84.3%. Protein digestibility averaged 86.7%. Maximum responses in performance criteria were predicted at 42.5–48.7% digestible protein and 4367–4421 kcal/kg digestible energy. In two additional experiments, alligators were either fasted or fed for various numbers of days/week. Carbohydrate-supplementation of high protein diets led to equal or significantly improved performances. Performance was maximized by feeding the alligators 5–6 d/w. Regression of body weight changes against energy and protein intake yielded estimates of daily maintenance requirements of 5.7–8.4 kcal and 0.49–0.89 g protein/kg live body weight. Dietary fat and carbohydrate in the forms and amounts fed to young alligators were well-utilized. Optimal digestible energy:crude protein ratios (8.2–10.9:1 kcal/g protein) were similar to those of other aquatic ectotherms of equal size.

KEY WORDS: • alligator • carbohydrate • fat • energy requirement • protein requirement • energy-protein relationship

¹ Supported by a grant from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, by State and Hatch funds allocated to the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations of the University of Georgia, and by a contract (DE-AC09-76SR00-819) between the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Georgia.

² Present address: Mainland Holdings Crocodile Farm, Niugini Table Birds, Pty. Ltd., P.O. Box 962, Lae, Papua New Guinea.

Manuscript received 24 May 1989. Revision accepted 29 December 1989.