Custom Xib Cell with Tableview isn't working

I'm creating a slide out menu with xib files using the following tutorial:
https://www.raywenderlich.com/78568/create-slide-out-navigation-panel-swift

Now I'm at the point to make the xib tableview view with the custom tableview cell. Reading several questions on stackoverflow I came to the following code

    override func viewDidLoad() {

    super.viewDidLoad()



    var nib = UINib(nibName: "MenuCell", bundle: nil)



    tableView.registerNib(nib, forCellReuseIdentifier: "menucell")

    tableView.reloadData()



    print("count: \(animals.count)")

}

extension SidePanelViewController: UITableViewDataSource {



func numberOfSectionsInTableView(tableView: UITableView) -> Int {

    return 1

}



func tableView(tableView: UITableView, numberOfRowsInSection section: Int) -> Int {



    return animals.count

}



func tableView(tableView: UITableView, cellForRowAtIndexPath indexPath: NSIndexPath) -> UITableViewCell {



    var cell:MenuTableViewCell = self.tableView.dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier("menucell", forIndexPath: indexPath) as! MenuTableViewCell



    cell.configureCell(animals[indexPath.row])

    return cell

}