Evolution has engineered all animals to seek nutrition to sustain themselves. Because sources of nutrition may become available only very intermittently, many animals will try to eat as much as possible when there is food in order to sustain themselves until the next time that food is once again available. We human beings are only too aware that in many places, plentiful, high calorie food sources are available whenever they are wanted. This can often lead to overeating with the result of becoming overweight. As we have learned, obesity is the root cause of a wide variety of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and decreased mobility, among others.
Many zoo animals can acquire these same problems. In the wild, most animals must work very hard in order to sustain themselves. Herbivores must constantly be looking for forage while avoiding predators. The predators expend huge amounts of energy hunting for their food, generally only encountering success for some fraction of their efforts. A zoo environment is very different. Food is delivered to the animals with little energy expenditure on their part. If not monitored, this can lead to overweight issues and health problems.
Zoo personnel rely on a variety of industrial scales to weigh their animals. Small bench scales are appropriate for many birds and reptiles. These provide accurate weights in small decimals of a pound, up to 50 pounds or more. Large animals are weighed on standard platform scales, or special animal scales, manufactured by Arlyn Scales specifically for this purpose. These veterinary scales have a very low profile platform, easing the task of leading the animal onto the scale. Special software determines an accurate animal weight, even if it will not stand still. The active weighing devices built into the scale, known as load cells, are fabricated from stainless steel. These assure that the animal scale will be rugged and resistant to damage from liquids and other materials.
Zoos use Scales to Keep Animals Fit and Healthy
Evolution has engineered all animals to seek nutrition to sustain themselves. Because sources of nutrition may become available only very intermittently, many animals will try to eat as much as possible when there is food in order to sustain themselves until the next time that food is once again available. We human beings are only too aware that in many places, plentiful, high calorie food sources are available whenever they are wanted. This can often lead to overeating with the result of becoming overweight. As we have learned, obesity is the root cause of a wide variety of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and decreased mobility, among others.
Many zoo animals can acquire these same problems. In the wild, most animals must work very hard in order to sustain themselves. Herbivores must constantly be looking for forage while avoiding predators. The predators expend huge amounts of energy hunting for their food, generally only encountering success for some fraction of their efforts. A zoo environment is very different. Food is delivered to the animals with little energy expenditure on their part. If not monitored, this can lead to overweight issues and health problems.
Zoo personnel rely on a variety of industrial scales to weigh their animals. Small bench scales are appropriate for many birds and reptiles. These provide accurate weights in small decimals of a pound, up to 50 pounds or more. Large animals are weighed on standard platform scales, or special animal scales, manufactured by Arlyn Scales specifically for this purpose. These veterinary scales have a very low profile platform, easing the task of leading the animal onto the scale. Special software determines an accurate animal weight, even if it will not stand still. The active weighing devices built into the scale, known as load cells, are fabricated from stainless steel. These assure that the animal scale will be rugged and resistant to damage from liquids and other materials.