Reproductive Behaviors of Wild Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla): A Case Study Based on Long-Term Monitoring

Abstract

Observations of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in the wild are extremely rare and challenging because of their nocturnal and cryptic activity patterns and low population density. The present article reported the first field observation in eastern Taiwan, from October 4, 2012 to June 16, 2016, on the reproductive behavior of the Chinese pangolin based on the monitoring of a female (LF28) using radiotelemetry and camera traps. During this period, LF28 aged from 1 to 4.5-years old and gave two single-births, both took place in early December, at 3 and 4 years old, respectively. We recorded the entire 157 days of the first nursing period from parturition to maternal separation. For the second infant, the gestation period was estimated to be around 150 days based on the evidence that the pregnancy started in early Jul. 2015 and the offspring was born on Dec. 9, 2015. During the entire nursing period, LF28 frequently moved the offspring from one nursing burrow to another staying various durations ranging from 1 day to more than 35 days, and almost all (= 15/16) of these burrows were located in the core (MCP75) of LF28’s home range. Started from the month of parturition and lasting throughout the whole nursing period, different adult males constantly visiting the nursing burrows were recorded. Mating behavior was recorded once outside the burrow in March, which provided evidence of the occurrence of post-partum estrus in this species. Delay implantation was proposed based on the observation of a several months lag between copulation and the estimated pregnancy initiation date. The present study demonstrated the advantage of using remote technologies to learn the life history of resting fossorial species.

Non-Galliformes Birds' Attraction to Soil Mounds Outside Chinese Pangolin Burrows

“…(3) Differences in Foraging Behavior on Soil Mounds Between Non-Galliformes and Galliformes Birds Firstly, it should be noted that we did not capture any birds entering the burrows of the Chinese Pangolin. We had captured images of mammals entering the burrows (unpublished data), and related studies have captured phenomena of mammals entering the burrows (Sun, 2022;Wu et al, 2023), indicating that the burrows of the Chinese Pangolin could provide thermal refuges for other animals. However, for birds, the Chinese Pangolin might not attract birds because of its burrows, that was, birds might not come to the vicinity of the burrows of the Chinese Pangolin for thermal refuges.…”

“…The Chinese Pangolin is a typical fossorial animal that relies on digging burrows for foraging and selects some burrows for habitation, reproduction, and rearing of young (Sun, 2022). On average, a Chinese Pangolin can excavate about 70 burrows per year, which can serve as sites for other animals to forage, reside, take refuge, and reproduce, such as rodents (Muridae), Eurasian Badger (Meles meles ), Yellow-bellied Weasel (Mustela kathiah ), and King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah ), playing a positive role in maintaining biodiversity (Wu et al, 2023).…”

“…On average, a Chinese Pangolin can excavate about 70 burrows per year, which can serve as sites for other animals to forage, reside, take refuge, and reproduce, such as rodents (Muridae), Eurasian Badger (Meles meles ), Yellow-bellied Weasel (Mustela kathiah ), and King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah ), playing a positive role in maintaining biodiversity (Wu et al, 2023). During the process of excavating burrows, Chinese Pangolin transport underground soil to the entrance, accumulating it into mounds, thereby creating additional space and exposing soil surfaces, which increases habitat heterogeneity (Sun, 2022). Research has shown that burrows are utilized as thermal refuges by other species, however, there is a lack of in-depth study on the function of the soil mounds outside the burrows, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the ecological function of the Chinese Pangolin.…”

Comparison of Venous Blood Gas and Biochemical Parameters in Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) and Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) before and after Isoflurane Anesthesia

“…All pangolin species are classified as a National Level I Protected Animals in China [ 5 ] and are listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Habitat loss, hunting for international trade, and a low reproductive rate have led to a dramatic decline in wild pangolin populations [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to consider ex situ conservation as part of a holistic approach to pangolin conservation.…”