Primary observations on courtship and estrus behaviours of captive Malayan Pangolin (Manis javanica).

• Main Author: Leong, Richalynn Chiu Xian.
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49381
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Little is known about the reproductive behaviour of Malayan pangolins. The aims of this study were to identify and characterize the interaction behaviours between male and female pangolins, and to determine the dynamics of the estrus cycle of the female pangolin. This would aid in improving reproduction methods for captive Malayan pangolin. The behaviours of one female and two male pangolins were observed over a period of 91 days. 15 qualitatively distinct interaction behaviours were identified, out of which 12 were displayed by the female. In particular, the behaviours flip and side, were chosen to be indicative of estrus in the female pangolin. Plotting frequencies of flip and side over time revealed that estrus of the female pangolin occurred approximately once every 21 days and lasted for approximately 1 – 6 days. Frequencies of female courtship events during estrus were significantly higher as compared to anestrus period. However, this estrus cycle cannot be conclusive for all female Malayan pangolins. A suggestion to improve reproduction methods would be to use flip and side to identify the female pangolin going through estrus, so as to increase chances of conception with a male pangolin.