***PLEASE REPLY TO corsem@metro.dst.or.us The Oregon Zoo is examining the diet we offer to our two sea otters. We are attempting to lower cost, but continue to provide a balanced diet that meets their nutrient needs. We currently offer a diet which is approximately 33% fish and squid, 33% clam and mussels, and 33% crab and shrimp. The diet is quite costly and we are trying to see if we can meet their nutrient needs in another way. We are working with a team of zoo nutrition consultants from the Fort Worth Zoo to help address this concern. A literature search was done and many aquariums that house sea otters were contacted as part of this consultation. A nutritionally complete diet was proposed which consists of 45% fish and squid, 30% clam and mussels, 20% crab and shrimp, and 5% a red-meat based diet. This diet was proposed primarily to lower cost. No information was found in the literature or via consultation with other zoos and aquariums that roughage is needed in the diet. However, it seems to be thought of as "industry standard" that roughage needs to be included in the diet of captive sea otters. The question we are posing now is "is roughage need and if so how much?" We are concerned that this diet might be too low in roughage for these animals. Does anyone have any thoughts on this OR any ideas for cost effective diets for sea otters. Michelle Corse, Nutrition Technician Oregon Zoo email: corsem@metro.dst.or.us phone: 503-220-5741