Zoo database

Siamang

Symphalangus syndactylus

Natural diet Siamang

Fruits
Leaves

The siamang is naturally seen in parts of Malaysia and Thailand. They are omnivorous and mainly consume leaves and fruits, but also insects, small vertebrates and bird eggs may occasionally be consumed.

Feeding advice Siamang

Feed quantity per day

10-15% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 10 kg and eats 12% of its body weight, it will get

10 x 0.12 = 1.2 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

10% Concentrates
20% Leafy and cabbage vegetables
25% Other vegetables
45% Browse

Proportions (fresh product)

0.1 x 1.2 kg = 120 g concentrates
0.2 x 1.2 kg = 240 g leafy and cabbage vegetables
0.25 x 1.2 kg = 300 g other vegetables
0.45 x 1.2 kg = 540 g browse

Diet suggestions

In moderation

Insects

Not recommended

Fruits

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least three feeding moments per day.
Although present in their natural diet, feeding fruits might lead to abnormal fermentation in the hindgut because of high sugar levels in cultivated fruits compared to wild fruits (read more about nutritional values of (wild) fruits and vegetables).
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).

Common diseases

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

Periodontal disease
Diabetes mellitus
Cardiovascular disease
Obesity
Gastrointestinal problems

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Leaf-eater S

DK Maintenance Hi-Fibre (Primate)

Primate Leaf eater (cold pressed)

Crickets

Wax moth larvae

Birch leaves - 10-20 kg bag

Melvin de Boer

Purchasing & Logistics