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1 August 2015 Reproductive parameters of the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica
Fuhua Zhang, Shibao Wu, Li Yang, Li Zhang, Ruyong Sun, Shaoshan Li
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Abstract

The observations of Sunda pangolin reproductive parameters in this paper were based on the wild-caught animals and those that had spent time in captive environments, however, when analyzing the results, we did not consider differences in terms of breeding habits between the two. Still, this research has led to an increase in knowledge of the breeding habits of the Sunda pangolin. Our results suggest that there is no breeding season or season of parturition for the Sunda pangolin, which breeds all year round. We estimated the gestation period in this species to be around six months. Sexual maturity occurred at one year old or as early as six-seven months old in some individuals, and requires further investigation. Each Sunda pangolin in this study gave birth to one offspring at a time. The sex ratio at birth was 0.875:1 (♀:♂) (n = 15); and the weaning age was estimated at four months with a weight of 1.19 ± 0.50 kg (n = 3), which concurs with recent research. Findings in this study will contribute to future analyses of population dynamics, species conservation, and both in situ and ex situ management of the Sunda pangolin. Despite this contribution, further studies are needed on the reproductive parameters of Sunda pangolin.

Fuhua Zhang, Shibao Wu, Li Yang, Li Zhang, Ruyong Sun, and Shaoshan Li "Reproductive parameters of the Sunda pangolin, Manis javanica," Folia Zoologica 64(2), 129-135, (1 August 2015). https://doi.org/10.25225/fozo.v64.i2.a6.2015
Received: 9 August 2014; Accepted: 1 June 2015; Published: 1 August 2015
KEYWORDS
age
gestation period
litter size
mating season
sexual maturity
weaning age
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