Burrow Selection by Temminck's Ground Pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) in Northern Botswana

ABSTRACT

In arid and semi-arid environments, many species use underground burrows for thermoregulation, reproduction, and to reduce predation risk. In Botswana, Temminck's ground pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) shelter in burrows during the day, and burrow density is thought to be a key indicator of habitat suitability for these animals. Pangolins are threatened by illegal trade and overexploitation, and individuals confiscated from the trade should be released in areas where they have the greatest chance of survival. To assist with the identification of suitable release sites, we quantified habitat-specific burrow density and determined the effects of body size and sex on burrow selection. Burrow surveys were conducted in three sites, with detailed pangolin burrow selection data collected in two of those sites, in different landscapes in northern Botswana. Ten pangolins were fitted with telemetry transmitters between June 2022 and February 2024. Results indicate that habitat type was a stronger predictor of burrow density than soil type, with burrow density being higher in open than in woody habitats. Adult and female pangolins selected burrows with larger entrance diameters than sub-adult and male individuals, respectively. Burrows in shrubland and tree savanna habitats were preferred, dry floodplains were avoided, and burrows in grassland and riparian woodland habitats were utilised in proportion to their availability; these selection patterns were not affected by body size, sex, or origin. The limited sample size, short study duration, and high rate of transmitter loss limit generalisation of results to the broader pangolin population, but the results indicate that suitable release sites for confiscated pangolins in Botswana may be in shrubland and tree savanna habitats.