Description
Pangolins have poor vision, and thus rely on their smell and hearing to avoid predation while they are feeding on insects. Pangolins are preyed upon by many of the top predators in their habitats in Asia and Africa, such as lions and leopards, as well as other carnivores, like hyenas, and have unique defense behaviors when targeted by these predators. Pangolins are considered the most trafficked animals in the world, having high demand as delicacies and medicinal purposes. This research looks at the various defense behaviors of Pangolins, and to analyze these behaviors based on their frequencies. Behavior frequencies were observed in 15 videos of various predators (lions, hyenas, and leopards) trying to feed on pangolins of various species. It was found that the pangolins have a reliable behavior of rolling into a ball as a defense behavior, regardless of the animal that is attacking it or how they are attacking it. Most of the predators bit at the pangolin, more-so than clawing at it or rolling it like a ball. More than half of the time the pangolin managed to get away from the predator without harm, and the other observations had inconclusive endings. This research is significant because it quantifies the defense behaviors of pangolins, which is important in beginning to understand the thought processes of animals that humans cannot directly communicate with. It also allows researchers to understand that the dramatic decrease in population size is not due to natural predators, but to anthropogenic greed.
Defensive Behaviors of Pangolins and Predatory Behaviors of Their Predators
Pangolins have poor vision, and thus rely on their smell and hearing to avoid predation while they are feeding on insects. Pangolins are preyed upon by many of the top predators in their habitats in Asia and Africa, such as lions and leopards, as well as other carnivores, like hyenas, and have unique defense behaviors when targeted by these predators. Pangolins are considered the most trafficked animals in the world, having high demand as delicacies and medicinal purposes. This research looks at the various defense behaviors of Pangolins, and to analyze these behaviors based on their frequencies. Behavior frequencies were observed in 15 videos of various predators (lions, hyenas, and leopards) trying to feed on pangolins of various species. It was found that the pangolins have a reliable behavior of rolling into a ball as a defense behavior, regardless of the animal that is attacking it or how they are attacking it. Most of the predators bit at the pangolin, more-so than clawing at it or rolling it like a ball. More than half of the time the pangolin managed to get away from the predator without harm, and the other observations had inconclusive endings. This research is significant because it quantifies the defense behaviors of pangolins, which is important in beginning to understand the thought processes of animals that humans cannot directly communicate with. It also allows researchers to understand that the dramatic decrease in population size is not due to natural predators, but to anthropogenic greed.
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