Nutrition in Marsupials

Marsupials can be divided into carnivores, omnivores, hindgut fermenters (wombats and arboreal folivores), and foregut fermenters (kangaroos and wallabies).

Carnivorous marsupials can be fed dry or canned dog or cat food. Smaller species can be fed canned primate diet. Hard-boiled egg, green vegetables, carrot, sweet potato, apple, and banana can also be offered in limited amounts (10%). To prevent deficiencies, especially of calcium and vitamins A, D, and E, dasyurids (eg, marsupial “mice,” native cats, and Tasmanian devils) can be fed canned or frozen feline diet and meat and bone products with vitamin and mineral supplements specifically made to supplement meat and meat products. In addition, crickets, mealworms, and mouse pups can be given to smaller species; larger species can be given mice and shank or rib bones.

Omnivorous marsupials (eg, opossums, bandicoots, and bilbies) should get a mixed diet, which is a carnivorous diet plus greens and vegetables (up to 40%). Limited amounts of tree gums and insects can be added to the diet.

Wombats are hindgut or colon fermenters, meaning that the basics of their diet should be palatable normal (not too poor or too rich) grass or hay with a limited amount of grazer pellets, which contain 200 mg vitamin E/kg and 0.2 mg selenium/kg, or a kangaroo pellet to ensure they get enough vitamins and minerals (1). In tree kangaroos, the grass and hay can be replaced with leaves. The main diet of koalas should be fresh, palatable eucalyptus foliage. If available, a specific koala pellet should be given.

Kangaroos and wallabies are foregut fermenters and should be fed palatable grass or alfalfa containing a high amount of fiber and a medium amount of protein (12–16%) and a kangaroo pellet (< 6 mm diameter) (1). Most kangaroo pallets are based on rabbit pellets and adjusted for vitamin E (200 mg/kg) and selenium (0.2 mg/kg) to prevent lumpy jaw. If hay is offered, it should not have long stems; otherwise, marsupials cannot chew it. To prevent dental problems, easily digestible carbohydrates should only be fed as part of a pellet. Browsing marsupials (eg, forest wallabies, pademelons, quokkas, swamp wallabies and rock wallabies) should get at least 15% leaves daily. Intermediate browsing marsupials like some rock wallabies, brush wallabies, and hare-wallabies should get browse if it is available. Grazing marsupials, like the grey and red kangaroo and the eastern wallaroo, can be fed mainly on palatable grass and hay

Green vegetables, carrot, sweet potato, and apple can be offered to all herbivorous and omnivorous marsupials in limited amounts (10%) but should not be a main component of the diet.