Tannin-binding salivary proteins in three captive rhinoceros species.

Tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSP) are considered to be counter-defences acquired in the course of evolution by animals whose natural forage contains such tannins. As tannins mostly occur in browse material but not in grasses, it is assumed that grazers do not have a need for TBSP. Whereas it has been shown in several non-ungulate species that TBSP can be induced by dietary tannins, their presence or absence in ungulates has, so far, been shown to be a species-specific characteristic independent of dietary manipulations.

Fat soluble vitamins in blood and tissues of free-ranging and captive rhinoceros.

Several disease syndromes in captive rhinoceroses have been linked to low vitamin status. Blood samples from captive and free-ranging black (Diceros bicornis) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and tissue samples of captive individuals from four rhinoceros species were analysed for vitamins A and E. Circulating vitamin A levels measured as retinol for free-ranging versus captive black and white rhinoceros were 0.

Faecal particle size distribution in captive wild ruminants: an approach to the browser/grazer dichotomy from the other end.

We investigated the particle size distribution in 245 faecal samples of 81 species of captive ruminants by a wet-sieving procedure. As a comparative measure, the modulus of fineness (MOF; Poppi et al. 1980) was used.