Factors influencing the habitat choice of pangolins (Manis spp.) in low land of Nepal

Abstract

Pangolins in the genus Manis are nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous\nmammals listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered by the\nInternational Union for Conservation of Nature. Of the eight extant\npangolin species worldwide, two species are found in Nepal: the Chinese\npangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and the Indian pangolin (Manis\ncrassicaudata). Despite having a great ecological role by controlling\nthe ants or termite population, little attention has been given to the\nconservation interventions of both species of pangolins found in the\nTerai region (low land) of Nepal. The present study assesses habitat use\nand factors affecting the habitat choice of pangolins in low land\n(Terai), Nepal. The research was focused on Amritdharapani community\nforest of Chitwan district. Pangolin burrows were used as the indirect\nsigns of pangolin presence. A total of thirty-nine burrows were observed\nat elevations ranging from 301 to 413 m asl. Burrows were frequently\nassociated with north-west aspects, gentle slope (15º to 20º), moderate\ncanopy cover (51 to 75%), red-colored soil, and acidic soils with pH\n6.5 to 7. The burrows were most common in areas with weak human\ndisturbance (i.e. 1500 to 1700 m from settlements), 800 to 1200 m from\nroads, and with-in 300 m from a water source and with-in 20 m from the\nnearest termitarium. This study revealed distance to settlement,\ndistance to road, soil pH, and canopy cover as major factors affecting\nthe habitat choice of pangolins in the study area.