National Chung Hsing University Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)
The Chinese pangolin is a mammal that exclusively feeds on termites and ants. In the pangolin habitat in Taiwan, we conducted a survey to study the species and abundance of termites in the soil. We excavated five sample plots measuring 20 meters in length, 1 meter in width, and 2-2.5 meters in depth. Soil profiles were examined on both sides, and visible termites or fungus gardens were collected. The research findings revealed that in the topsoil layer (0-60 cm), we encountered soil-feeding termites, conehead termites, subterranean termites, and fungus-growing termites. However, as we delved deeper (120-180 cm), we only found fungus-growing termites and their fungus gardens. Considering that pangolins primarily dig burrows within a vertical depth of one meter, we speculate that fungus-growing termites construct fungus gardens in deeper layers as a defense mechanism against predation by pangolins.