Factors influencing the habitat choice of pangolins (Manis spp.) in low
land of Nepal
Abstract
Pangolins in the genus Manis are nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous
mammals listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature. Of the eight extant
pangolin species worldwide, two species are found in Nepal: the Chinese
pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and the Indian pangolin (Manis
crassicaudata). Despite having a great ecological role by controlling
the ants or termite population, little attention has been given to the
conservation interventions of both species of pangolins found in the
Terai region (low land) of Nepal. The present study assesses habitat use
and factors affecting the habitat choice of pangolins in low land
(Terai), Nepal. The research was focused on Amritdharapani community
forest of Chitwan district. Pangolin burrows were used as the indirect
signs of pangolin presence. A total of thirty-nine burrows were observed
at elevations ranging from 301 to 413 m asl. Burrows were frequently
associated with north-west aspects, gentle slope (15º to 20º), moderate
canopy cover (51 to 75%), red-colored soil, and acidic soils with pH
6.5 to 7. The burrows were most common in areas with weak human
disturbance (i.e. 1500 to 1700 m from settlements), 800 to 1200 m from
roads, and with-in 300 m from a water source and with-in 20 m from the
nearest termitarium. This study revealed distance to settlement,
distance to road, soil pH, and canopy cover as major factors affecting
the habitat choice of pangolins in the study area.