My friend’s stepdad buys pets without researching their needs, leaving her mom to care for them. They’ve hired me to look after the animals this weekend, and I’ve noticed their diets aren’t ideal. I want to introduce some enrichment and would appreciate feedback.
Red-Crested Turaco: It’s mostly fed fruit. I’m thinking of adding hard-boiled egg, ground eggshell, mealworms, veggies (like cauliflower, broccoli), or even a pinky mouse. Would bee pollen be good?
Cotton-Top Tamarins: They get mostly fruit and monkey biscuits. Would they enjoy mealworms, eggs, pinky mice, nuts, or bee pollen?
Foxes: They’re fed fruit, chicken gizzards, and hard-boiled eggs. Would cheese, unsalted nuts, or mice be good additions?
I’m especially worried about the turaco and tamarins needing more variety. Any advice?
It’s great that you’re trying to improve their diets! For the Red-Crested Turaco, adding hard-boiled egg and some veggies like cauliflower and broccoli is a good idea. Bee pollen can be a nice supplement too, but I’d avoid giving a pinky mouse—they’re primarily frugivores, so too much protein could be harmful.
For the Cotton-Top Tamarins, offering mealworms, eggs, and nuts is a great start. They do need more than just fruit. Maybe try small amounts first to see how they react. Pinky mice could work as an occasional treat, but be careful not to overdo it.
I agree with the others, but be cautious with adding new foods too quickly. Gradually introduce the changes and keep an eye on their reactions. It’s really awesome you’re taking the time to do this!
Definitely agree with starting slow. For the Turaco, I’d also suggest adding some leafy greens like kale or spinach, but just a little at a time. They’re not huge on veggies, but variety is key.
For the Tamarins, nuts are a great idea—try almonds or walnuts, but make sure they’re unsalted. They’ll love the mealworms too. Bee pollen might be interesting, but again, introduce it gradually to see how they take to it