Attraction of man-made animal rosts with emphasis on bat at mangrove and garden area of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Abstract

The study of man-made animal roost is vital to develop conservation tools in animal's conservation efforts. This study was conducted at mangrove and garden area of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) to investigate the attraction of man-made animal roosts. A total of 48 man-made animal roosts have been placed at two sites respectively. A total of 31 individuals from four different classes were recorded which were Reptile, Arachnida, Aves and Insecta. Reptile is the most dominant animal with 68% followed by arachnida (16%), aves (10%) and insecta (6%). Garden site was most preferred by the animals (83.9%). Both designs marked equally in term of occupancy rate. West facing roosts attracted four classes of animals but there was no significant difference between the occupancy of animals within four directions. No bats have been found during the sampling. The occupancy of animals proven that there are several types of animals that attracted to man-made animal roosts especially at garden site compared to mangrove site. The increasing number of animals was indicated that the man-made animal roost has the feasibility as a conservation tools.