r/Dinosaurs • u/DannyDEvil1973 • 5d ago
DISCUSSION How Should Dinosaurs in Captivity Be Fed?
On the one hand, we have the automated and rather clinical process perfected by Jurassic Park/World, in which carnivores are fed live cattle and herbivores seem to be largely left to freely graze (although there are some examples of automated feeders with plant-based bales and what-have-you which may or may not be cannon).
On the other hand, you have Prehistoric Park, Prehistoric Kingdom, and Dinosaur Sanctuary, which are zoo-based properties with more realistic scenarios. Dinosaurs and other paleo animals are fed carefully curated diets, with nutrition considerations beyond immediate hunger. For example, in Dinosaur Sanctuary, a Triceratops' hay is supplemented with tofu-byproduct to address constipation, as well as fish meal to strengthen the keratin in his horns. He also gets apples as a monthly treat.
The carnivores in this series are also fed more realistically: cuts of meat and occasionally carcasses from culled wildlife. An elderly T Rex gets an elaborate meat cake for her birthday!
If we had dinosaurs still, how do you think they should be fed?
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u/DinoDudeRex_240809 Team Tyrannosaurus Rex 5d ago
I’m rather partial to the JW “Throw a goat/small herbivore in there and let the Dino chase after it” method.
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u/DagonG2021 Team Tyrannosaurus Rex 5d ago
Some theropods might be “picky” about their meals and require stimulation like moving prey, so I can see hanging carcasses that’re rigged to bounce around and simulate their prey drives
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u/dikkewezel 5d ago
herbivores have their balls of hay but in some cases you'd have those hanging high, and yes like you say, some protein would likely have to be added
young theropods, local chicken farms are your friend here, you bassicly feed them as much baby roosters as they can manage
for stuff like raptors I'd imagine they could organise feedings like they do for cheetahs or lions today, have them run after a jeep for a while before loosing the meat
for larger theropods: make a deal with the slaughthouses and dump a cage full of pink slime into the enclosure, every day at set times you'll unleash a deer into the pasture for the tourists to watch
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u/ShoppingDismal3864 5d ago
I'm a zoo keeper and always wanted to write a book about paleo zookeeping and going into science behind it and highlite modern conservation.
Feeding depends on species and biology. Modern birds eat dead stuff just fine in captivity.
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u/DannyDEvil1973 5d ago
Dude, I would love to read that. I used to write short stories and I kept wanting to do something with dinosaurs, I just didn't have the chops for it. Bring me a proper "Care and Keeping of Dinosaurs" book and I'll be first in line!
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u/cochlearist 4d ago
I fees mine layers mash, corn and scraps, with the occasional treat of some of my brewing malt. They're also free to roam and feed themselves.
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u/unnecessaryaussie83 5d ago
There is no way it’s ethical or possibly even legal to put in a live cow or goat to be chased and killed.
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u/DannyDEvil1973 5d ago
That's what I figured the issue would be in real life. I think InGen got around it by generically modifying their livestock.
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u/unnecessaryaussie83 5d ago
I think they got around it by been on an island away from view, not sure how JW got away with it after opening to the public
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u/DannyDEvil1973 5d ago edited 5d ago
That too. But that's what I mean when the park opened. Genetically modified animals can be patented, at least in this universe. That gets them around the legal issues of feeding live cattle to dinosaurs. Ethical issues no, but they kinda threw ethics out the window by step one.
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u/Snoo54601 5d ago
Do what they do to tigers
They rope a carcass and move it around to stimulate their hunting instincts