Zoo database

Gelada

Theropithecus gelada

Natural diet Gelada

Geladas is a species of baboons that primarily consume grasses. Next to this, they may also eat other vegetation such as leaves, herbs and roots. Occasionally, fruits and invertebrates like insects may be consumed.

Grain / seeds
Grain / seeds
Grasses
Grasses
Herbs
Herbs
Leaves
Leaves

Feeding advice Gelada

Feed quantity per day

10-15%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 15 kg and eats 15% of its body weight, it will get
 
15 x 0,15 = 2,25 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

9% Concentrates
30% Leafy greens and cabbages
10% Other vegetables
50% Grass, alfalfa, roughage
1% Other

Proportions (fresh product)

0,09 x 2,25 kg = 203 g concentrates
0,3 x 2,25 kg = 675 g leafy greens and cabbages
0,1 x 2,25 kg = 225 g other vegetables
0,5 x 2,25 kg = 1.125 g grass, alfalfa, roughage
0,01 x 2,25 kg = 23 g other

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Grass and grass hay

Variety of leafy vegetables

Variety of root/green vegetables

Concentrates

In moderation

Nuts and seeds

Variety of insects

Not recommended

Fruits

Starchy/ sweet vegetables

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Metabolic bone disease
  • Obesity

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • The diet should be rich in fiber and low in starch and sugars.
  • Seeds and grains (including wheat and oats) should be limited as geladas easily exploit these nutrients and can become overweight.
  • Insects can be supplemented occasionally.
  • Supplement a diverse selection of vegetables (read more about differences between vegetables).
  • Provide less palatable food in the morning, when hunger is greatest.
  • Feeding in bowls is not recommended.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by hiding, stacking or hanging the feed. Examples can be feeding puzzles, tubes, hanging boxes and/ or scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).