Friday, September 18, 2009

Some observations about the Chinese Pangolin

The observation 'one animal per burrow " may not be correct as I have seen burrows that may have been temporary burrows like the one above. These burrows are smaller and about 6 to 7 feet deep.
These burrows you see in the pics are all abandoned burrows. No scat around nor do you see any signs of recent activity. This burrow had mushroom growing inside it.

A burrow that does have a pangolin inside will be covered up with loose mud in the entrance. We have never disturbed a burrow with an animal inside.

A pangolin had been busy here feeding on ants.
We have noticed that many burrows are found in an area where a particular type of bamboo is found.The bamboo is called Mithae Baas in the local dialect literally meaning sweet bamboo.
The bamboo gets a heavy infestation of black ants during the months of late April, May and early June. This suits the Pangolin just fine as it is the season for it to bear pups. Sightings increase and so do the killings.




Another two "food burrows" as I call it . The pangolin digs such holes looking for ants and hence is not too popular with farmers who believe that our scaly friend causes landslides!

I am 5 ft 2 inches feet tall. Please note the length of the stick I am holding.

Also take a look at the flora around this is the Pangolin's natural habitat. It is also found in among the tea bushes in the surrounding tea gardens. It goes there looking for ants that plague the tea bushes. Tea garden workers, upon finding the animal generally beat the animal to death for its meat.
This too is an abandoned burrow. Mark how deep a pangolin burrow is.



This is how deep the burrow is before it turns. Based in this I can safely assume that a Pangolin burrow is about 12 to 15 feet deep. How about that!
Lastly ........ Speak up. Save the Pangolin.










2 comments:

  1. Fascinating photos! I have never seen a pangolin's burrow before. I agree: save the pangolins! Visit http://savepangolins.org

    ReplyDelete
  2. We are from nature and yet, today we have become nature's greatest enemy! I hope and pray that we realise our true responsibilities before it is too late. Smrithi, you are doing a great job. God bless people like you who are making a difference!
    Regards
    Col Ajay Ramakrishnan

    ReplyDelete