Social media as a tool to understand the distribution and ecology of elusive mammals

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Authors

Phakoago, Makabudi V.
Maloney, Shane K.
Kamerman, Peter R.
Meyer, Leith Carl Rodney
Weyer, Nora M.
Fuller, Andrea

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Abstract

Comparatively little is known about the distribution and ecology of Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) and Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii). Both are elusive species that are normally nocturnal, solitary, and fossorial. Formally collected records have been used to map the distribution of these species, and social media records provide a tool to gather information on their distribution and ecology. We obtained 680 photographs and videos of aardvarks and 790 of ground pangolins in southern Africa from publicly available posts on Facebook and Instagram (2010–2019). The images provide new insights into the distribution, activity, drinking, and predation—and confirm that aardvarks are more diurnally active when they are in poor body condition. Social media can provide useful supplementary information for understanding of elusive mammals. These “soft” data can be applied to other species.

Description

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA SD1.—Social media search terms, and additional summary data for each species.
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA SD2.—Links for Aardvark social media images.
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA SD3.—Links for Temminck’s Ground Pangolin social media images.

Keywords

Activity patterns, Biodiversity, Body condition, Distribution, Southern Africa, SDG-15: Life on land

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-15:Life on land

Citation

Makabudi V. Phakoago, Shane K. Maloney, Peter R. Kamerman, Leith C.R. Meyer, Nora M. Weyer, Andrea Fuller, Social media as a tool to understand the distribution and ecology of elusive mammals, Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 105, Issue 1, February 2024, Pages 206–214, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad114.