Digestibility, feed efficiency, and the effect of sex were evaluated in black iguanas (Ctenosaura pectinata) using two commercial pellets (rabbit and chicken). The experiment was performed in 80 iguanas in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement 2×2 over 105 days. No differences were detected by food type in weight gain (chicken vs. rabbit: 121 vs. 154 mg/d) and daily intake (chicken vs. rabbit: 524 vs. 551 mg/d), but differences were detected (P<0.05) in feed conversion (chicken vs. rabbit: 6.45 vs. 4.47). Rabbit pellets showed higher digestibility than chicken food (P<0.01) in dry matter (59.8 vs. 41.4%) and NDF (55.4 vs. 43.6%), respectively. Sex had no effect in any of the variable responses. Black iguanas can be raised since 6 months old in captivity with commercial food designed for rabbit or broiler. No special physiological adaptations occur in black iguanas correlated with change in feeding habits during ontogeny.
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