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Biology, husbandry, and veterinary care of captive Chinese pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla )
Author(s) -
Heath Martha E.,
Vanderlip Sharon L.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.1430070402
Subject(s) - biology , animal husbandry , veterinary medicine , zoology , ecology , agriculture , medicine
We report observations on the biology, diet, husbandry, and veterinary care of four adult Chinese pangolins ( Manis pentadactyla ) maintained at the University of California, San Diego, for 1.5 years; and the births of two baby pangolins. Experience indicates that the minimum requirements for Chinese pangolins is an enclosure 10–12 m 2 , 26°C ambient temperature, a nest box with sand floor, and litter boxes placed in one or two corners of the enclosure for defecation and urination. A diet of two cans of cat food (Science Diet or ZuPreem), 6 tablespoons Esbilac, 2 tablespoons psyllium seed powder, and two raw egg yolks provide adequate nutrition for four pangolins for 1–2 days. Veterinary care should include a complete physical examination of integument and organ systems, determination of blood values, fecal analysis, and treatment with the anthelmintic thiabendazole for elimination of internal parasites. Parasites observed in the four pangolins included Strongyloides , hookworms, filarial nematodes (species unidentified), and nematodes of the genus Cylicospirura . The baby pangolins were born in November (male) and February (female), weighed 93 g and 92 g at birth, and lived 1 and 5 days, respectively. All adult pangolins observed strictly nocturnal behavior patterns.