Captive Invertebrate Nutrition

The ability to maintain and propagate a species of animal in captivity is dependent on being able to provide adequate nutrition. Although the exact nutritional requirements of many invertebrate species are unknown, most commonly kept species are quite adaptable and seem to thrive on very basic diets. Veterinarians are often called upon to devise diets for captive invertebrates in research, display, and production facilities. A thorough knowledge of the natural history of the species is critical in developing dietary plans. This article focuses on terrestrial arthropods in the orders Insecta and Arachnida.