Twenty‐four‐hour variations in activity, core temperature, metabolic rate, and respiratory quotient in captive chinese pangolins

Abstract

The circadian rhythms in activity, core temperature (Tc), O2 consumption, CO2 production, and respiratory quotient (RQ) were monitored in four captive Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla). The pangolins were strictly nocturnal, never emerging from their nest before 1600 h, and their intermittent activity continued no later than 0230. As is usual in nocturnal mammals, the highest values observed in Tc, O2 consumption, and CO2 production occurred during the night; the lowest values occurred during the day. The magnitude of the variation in Tc, O2 consumption, CO2 production, and RQ averaged 1.2°C, 1.3 ml O2 kg−1 min−1, 1.2 ml CO2 kg−1 min−1, and 0.24, respectively. The circadian pattern in RQ was independent of activity, Tc, and the metabolic parameters and was of a different character than the patterns exhibited in the other variables. RQ remained constant at either a high or low level for long periods (8–10 h) and then increased or decreased relatively rapidly (1–2h) to the other level as in a square wave, whereas the rhythms in the other variables are similar to sine waves. The sharp increase in RQ was followed by a slow decline in Tc, and the sharp decline in RQ was followed by a slow increase in Tc.