Wild animals satisfy their nutritional needs by foraging for a variety of different foods. It is difficult to regularly supply a captive animal the diversity of foods found in its natural diet. Captive animals are usually fed diets composed of foods that are easily accessible. Take care when selecting food types to avoid dietary deficiencies or imbalances due to a lack of variety in the diet. Cycle the level of nutrition throughout the year. Start increasing the nutritional value of the food above maintenance level as the breeding season approaches. Continue offering food of high nutritional value during the breeding season then reduce it back to maintenance level once the young have become independent.

Wombaroo makes a High Protein Supplement to fortify the diets of fruit and nectar eating animals and specialised foods for Small Carnivorous animals and Reptiles. These products have been formulated to bridge the nutritional gaps that arise from feeding inadequate diets.

The well-being of captive animals is influenced by the quality of their environment as well as their diet. The captive environment should represent, as near as practicable, that found in the wild. The enclosure should be as large as possible and contain the necessary features such as sand, soil, leaf litter, rocks, branches and secure hiding places that the animal would normally encounter in the wild. Animals kept inside should have a light source that provides the appropriate wavelengths to maintain health. Be sure that animals kept inside are exposed to seasonal changes in photo-period (hours of daylight) and both seasonal and daily changes in temperature. Changes in photo-period, temperature and composition of diet all play important roles in the regulation an animal’s biology.