Very little information is available to zoo managers on the nutritional preferences of the lesser anteater, a highly specialized predator. By studying lesser anteater feeding behavior, we expect to contribute to improved management decisions and individual welfare experiences. We studied the response of zoo-housed lesser anteaters (n = 7) to feeders with live ants (Acromyrmex lundi) and termites (Cortaritermes fulviceps), and we also evaluated the nutritional values of these prey. We individually evaluated each lesser anteater (3 sessions), recording activities by camera. We ground insect samples into a coarse meal and evaluated in vitro biochemical parameters (humidity, lipids proteins, ash, and carbohydrates). Lesser anteaters spent more time with termites than with ants and consumed more termites. Ant meal presented a higher protein and lipid content than termite meal (35.28 ± 0.18% vs. 18.19 ± 0.34% and 16.95 ± 0.13% vs. 6.54 ± 0.31%, respectively), and carbohydrate digestibility was higher in termites. These findings indicate an association between the level of insect consumption and nutritional and digestibility values. This is the first exploration of lesser anteater responses to the presence of social insects in feeders and may serve to guide the study of food preferences in captivity.

El Lechuzón Orejudo (Asio clamator) está ampliamente distribuido en el neotrópico. Sin embargo, la información sobre su biología reproductiva es poca. En Argentina, los registros de nidificación del Lechuzón Orejudo son escasos. Los mismos se concentran en el centro y noreste del país, sin haber hasta el presente registros de nidos en el noroeste. En abril de 2019 realizamos el primer registro de nidificación del Lechuzón Orejudo en el noroeste de Argentina, específicamente en la provincia de Salta. Este trabajo es un aporte importante sobre la distribución reproductiva del Lechuzón Orejudo en Argentina ya que, por un lado, expande el área de reproducción de la especie en nuestro país. Y a su vez, apoya la hipótesis que sugiere que el Lechuzón Orejudo muestra flexibilidad en la época de nidificación dado que nuestras observaciones ocurrieron durante una época del año poco reportada hasta el momento.

Owls are top predators poorly studied in the Neotropics. Their occurrences can be affected by forest structure and landscape features. We report Tropical Screech-Owl (Megascops choliba) and Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) detections in relation to habitat characteristics in central Argentina. During the spring of 2019, we surveyed 250 ha of mountain forest, measured habitat characteristics in presences/absences sites, and estimated owls’ densities. M. choliba (0.16 individuals/ha) was positively associated with snag whereas G. brasilianum (0.05 individuals/ha) was positively associated with proportions of small trees. Our results suggest that these habitat characteristics might be important covariates when studying these two species.