TINGKAT KESUKAN JENIS MAKANAN DAN PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP PERTAMBAHAN BERAT BADAN TIKUS EKOR PUTIH (Rattus xanthurus) DI PENANGKARAN EX-SITU

Abstract

THE PREFERENCE OF FOOD TYPE AND THE INFLUENCE ON WEIGHT GAIN OF WHITE TAILED RAT (Rattus xanthurus) IN EX-SITU BREEDING. White tailed rats (Rattus xanthurus) is one of the endemic species of  North Sulawesi that has the status of near threatened. The method used in this study is the method of observation. This research was conducted to provide information about the most preferred type of food and its effect on body weight gain, food consumption and the efficient use of white rat (Rattus xanthurus) so that they can be utilized in animal breeding business.  The results showed that the type of food most preferred by the White Tailed Rat (Rattus xanthurus) female was papaya fruit 55.62 gr / head / day while males preferred the banana 49.28 gr / head / day. Weight gain in males is higher 17.79 g / head / day compared to females 10.09 g / head / day lower with 60 gr / head / day feeding. The highest efficiency of food use is found in males, this condition can be interpreted that the amount of consumption is enough to contribute to the weight gain of white tailed rats (Rattus xanthurus). The results of this study it can be concluded that the white tailed rat (Rattus xanthurus) prefers papaya fruit compared to other fresh foods.

Keywords: Preference, Weight gain, White-tailed rat