Mammals of Hong Kong

Introduction

Composition of Hong Kong terrestrial mammalian species

Key species of Conservation Concern

Conservation Measures

Key sites for Observing Mammals

Don'ts of observing mammals

References

Introduction

Although Hong Kong is a city with dense human settlement, it has extensive natural areas outside the urban districts. In fact 52 species of terrestrial mammal still occur here. As most of the mammals are nocturnal and avoid humans, their presence is easily overlooked.

Scientific studies on Hong Kong terrestrial mammals by biologists and amateurs are found in various publications (Herklots, 1951; Marshall, 1967; Lofts, 1976; Hill and Philipps, 1981; Goodyer, 1992; Reels, 1996; Ades, 1999). It is believed that Hong Kong was part of a wide area of subtropical forest about a thousand years ago. Tigers and other subtropical mammal species were common here then, but later gradual deforestation resulted in the loss of woodland during the early settlement centuries. This led to a decline in wildlife populations and some mammals, mostly the large predators, finally became extinct. Later, rapid modern urban development from the mid-twentieth century onwards destroyed many habitats. From 1960s to 1970s, most medium and large mammals, such as the Chinese Porcupine, Chinese Leopard Cat, and Wild Boar, were at one time thought to be close to local extinction (Lofts, 1976). Fortunately, with reforestation in Hong Kong's protected areas, their populations have now been successfully restored and most are no longer at risk of local extinction

Composition of Hong Kong Terrestrial Mammalian Species

Mammal species are classified into different genera, families, and orders, under the class Mammalia. Classification is mainly based on differences in body form, such as teeth, digits and body shapes. The 52 species of terrestrial mammals in Hong Kong are classified into seven orders: Insectivora, Chiroptera, Rodentia, Pholidora, Carnivora, Artiodactyla and Primates. However, in view of survey methodologies, species are grouped by their body size and mode of locomotion, and they also can be divided into three major groups: 22 species of flying mammals (the bats), 10 species of small terrestrial mammals (with head-to-body length less than 30cm) and 20 species of large terrestrial mammals (with head-to-body length more than 30cm).

Flying Mammals or bats, the only mammals that can fly, are readily distinguished by their 'hand-wings' formed by elongated fingers with skin membrane between them. They are further divided into two suborders: Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera. The Megachiroptera, or fruit bats, eat mainly plant materials, such as fruit and nectar, with two species in a single family recorded in Hong Kong. They have large eyes, simple ears, short tails, and claws on their second digits. The Microchiroptera, which eat mainly insects, include 20 species in five families recorded in Hong Kong. The Microchiroptera have small eyes and rely on echo location to find their prey and to navigate in the dark. All of the 22 bat species native to Hong Kong are further classified into six families – by their ear shape, muzzle shape, the presence or absence of a nose leaf, and tail morphology.

Small Mammals in Hong Kong comprise two insectivores and eight rodents. They are characterized by their smaller size, with a head-to-body length of less than 30 cm. Insectivores may be confused with rodents, but the muzzle of insectivores is usually longer and more pointed than that of rodents, and their front feet have five digits with sharp claws. Both species of insectivores are native to Hong Kong. While rodents can be recognized by their teeth, with large, curved, chiseling incisors on the upper and the lower jaws, no canines and a wide toothless gap. Small sized-rodents include rats, mice and squirrels. Three species of rodents are introduced, found living alongside humans in the urban areas, for example the Brown Rat.

Large Mammals, with 20 species recorded in Hong Kong, have a head-to-body length of more than 30 cm. They include two primates, ten carnivores, five ungulates and one pangolin, and two large-sized rodents (Bandicoot Rat and East Asian Porcupine). Most primates have hands and feet that can grasp, eyes on the front of the face, and a large brain case. Carnivores are also distinguished by sharp teeth and large canines. Even-toed ungulates are characterized by two functional hoofed toes and two small dew toes on each foot. Pangolins superficially resemble reptiles because of their scales, but they share all the other features of mammals. Among the large mammals, domesticated cats, dogs, oxen, water buffalo and the Long-tailed Macaque are introduced species. In addition, the Small Asian Mongoose and Yellow-bellied Weasel, which were not recorded in Hong Kong until recently, are likely to be found to be species which have expanded into Hong Kong, naturally or as a result of deliberate release of individuals outside their natural range. Similarly, though Hong Kong falls within the range of natural distribution of Rhesus Macaque, the original wild stock is believed to have disappeared and the existing populations are probably descendants of introduced individuals.

Key species of Conservation Concern

Mammals have a great impact on the ecosystem, as they use many types of food and have a wide range of habitats. They also directly or indirectly affect populations of other plants and animals, and therefore, influence the structure and composition of the species in the ecosystem. Some mammals are identified as 'keystone species', because changes in their populations cause other wildlife community changes.

Insectivorous bats play an essential role in keeping populations of night-flying insects in balance. Just one bat can catch hundreds of insect in an hour, and large colonies of bats catch tons of insects in a single evening, including species of beetles and moths that are agricultural pests. Also fruit bats play important roles as pollen or seed dispersers, and more than 300 species of plants, including some economically valuable crop plants, such as bananas, peaches and mangoes, rely on bats for survival – because some of them bloom at night, using special odors or flower shapes to attract bats (Tuttle, 1998). Bats are important seed disperser for some local trees, especially the figs (Ficus spp.), and bats are probably the only seed dispersal agent for three species of figs: F. fistulosa, F. hispida, and F. variegate, as the ripe figs of these bat-dispersal species are green or yellow and do not attract birds, and these are fruit year-round (Dudgeon and Corlett, 2004).

Small mammals may also act as effective seed dispersers as they store seeds for future consumption, but sometimes fail to recover the stored seed. Two local rodent species, the larger Sikkim Rat (Rattus sikkimensis) and the smaller Chestnut Spiny Rat (Niviventer fulvescens) are seed dispersal agents for small seed shrubs, such as those of Rhodomyrtus and Melastoma (Dudgeon and Corlett, 2004). Other than seed dispersal, small mammals also play important roles in the natural environment. They serve as a link between small animals and carnivores in the food chain.

Large mammals also play important roles in seed dispersal, as they ingest large quantities of seeds, and some plants produce large, hard fruits which are unattractive to birds, bats and other animals, and are only dispersed by large terrestrial mammals. The Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) is probably responsible for dispersing the large woody seeds of the Hog Plum (Choerospondias axillaries) (Dudgeon and Corlett, 2004). Primates are important seed dispersers in tropical forest, as they eat wide variety of plants and they can ingest large quantities of fruit everyday. Primates also have a much longer gut passage than bats and small mammals, and therefore, seeds can potentially be dispersed very long distances (Chapman, 1995). Macaques (Macaca spp.) are possible seed disperser for the very large fruit producing plants, such as Garcinia oblongifolia and Melodinus suaveolens (Dudgeon and Corlett, 2004).

Flying Mammals - Bats

Bats make up roughly half the mammals in Hong Kong. They are a special group of mammals, as they roost in particular environments like caves and trees, and some of them are capable of echo location. According to the result of the AFCD baseline ecological surveys, based on the number of site localities recorded in Hong Kong, most local bat species are either common (11 species), such as Greater Bent-winged Bat (Miniopterus magnater), or uncommon (5 species), such as Lesser Bamboo Bat (Tyloncyterus pachypus). Only six species of flying mammals (restricted to one to three localities only) are ranked as 'rare', such as Horsfield's Bat (Myotis horsfieldii), Brown Noctule (Nyctalus noctula), Chinese Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pulveratus), Lesser Yellow Bat (Scotophilus kuhlii), and Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed Bat (Chaerephon plicata) (Shek, 2004). However, Brown Noctule, Chinese Pipistrelle, and Lesser Yellow Bat are tree or building roosting species, and therefore, further studies are needed for their status confirmation.

Fig. 1 Greater Bent-winged Bat

Greater Bent-winged Bat (see Fig 1) is the largest species of the Genus Miniopterus in Hong Kong. All bent-winged bats have a distinctive wing feature, in which, for the third finger, the second bone is 3 times longer than the first and the wings are usually bent when at rest. The fur is generally dark brown or dark grey. The forearm length of this species ranges from 49-52mm. It is common and widespread throughout Hong Kong. Over 1,000 individuals can be found at the Lin Ma Hang abandoned mine caves in winter.

Fig. 2 Lesser Bamboo Bat

Lesser Bamboo Bat (see Fig 2) is the smallest mammal in Hong Kong, and is ranked as one of the smallest bats in the world. It can be distinguished by its greatly flattened skull and the presence of cushion-shaped pads on the thumb and foot. The fur varies from reddish brown to dark brown, slightly paler and more orange on underparts. This species is ideally adapted for gaining access to, and roosting in, the hollow joints of thick and fresh bamboo stems, such as Bambusa sinospinosa. The small body size and flattened skull allow their entrance through a slot less than 5mm wide in the stem, and the suction pads enable them to hang up in the hollow space of the bamboo. This is an uncommon species in Hong Kong. Their roosts were recorded in Tai Lam Chung, Pak Sha O, Ping Che, Wu Kau Tang, Yu Shui O, and Sum Wat.

Fig. 3 Horsfield's Bat

Horsfield's Bat (see Fig 3) is a small-sized Myotis with a forearm length of less than 38mm. The fur is soft and thick, and it is dark-brown to nearly black with pale grayish brown on underparts. The wing is attached to the base of the base of toes. The eyes and lips have pink bare skin. The canine is well developed, and greatly exceeds the third premolar. It is rare and highly restricted in Hong Kong, and recent records were found inside water tunnels in Tai Lam Chung and Nam Chung.

Fig. 4 Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed Bat

Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed Bat (see Fig 4) is a medium-sized bat. They have heavily wrinkled upper lips, and the ears are large, thick, round and joined across the top of the head by narrow a flap of skin. The body is heavy, supported by narrow wings. The tail is thick, and protrudes for well over half its length from the tail membrane. The fur is short and dense, dark brown with paler underparts. The first and the fifth toes are thickened with tactile hairs. Recent records have been made in Jordan, Ma On Shan and Tai Tam in December 2004 (information provided by KFBG). However, no roosting site has yet been identified in Hong Kong, and therefore, the recorded individuals may either forage or stray into Hong Kong during late autumn.

Small Mammal – insectivores and small rodents

Ten species of local mammals are non-flying small-sized terrestrial mammals, with two species of insectivores and eight species of rodents. Based on the mammal trapping results, seven species of small mammals were recorded in the ecological baseline surveys of countryside areas of Hong Kong. The Sikkim Rat (Rattus sikkimensis) was found to be the most common small mammal. The Ryukyu Mouse (Mus caroli) was found to be highly restricted species in Hong Kong, and it was only recorded in the Wetland Park and the Mai Po Nature Reserve.

Fig. 5 Sikkim Rat

Sikkim Rat (see Fig 5) is a moderately large rat, with a head to body length that exceeds 180mm. The tail is entirely dark and slightly longer than the head-to-body length. The fur is grayish-brown, with dark brown spines on the upperparts, while the underparts vary from white to creamy white. The foot pads are dark, large and heavily striated. This species is common and widespread throughout Hong Kong

Fig.6 Ryukyu Mouse

Ryukyu Mouse (see Fig 6) is a small species, with a head to body length of less than 100mm. The tail is usually longer than, or equal to, the head to body length, and it is dark above and pale below. The head is narrow with short muzzle, and the projecting upper incisor is tan or brownish. This is a rare species, with recent records from the Wetland Park and Mai Po.

Large Mammals

Based on camera trapping surveys in Hong Kong, 18 species of large mammals have been recorded. Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), Small Asian Porcupine (Hytrix brachyura), and Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica) were ranked as the four most common and widespread species, and these four species were found in over half of the surveyed countryside areas. For rare species, based on their distribution and relative abundance, Crab-eating Mongoose (Herpestes urva), Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), and Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra chinensis) are native species with low relative abundance and highly restricted distribution – only found less than five percent of the surveyed countryside areas. Thus, these three species are ranked as Species of Conservation Concern (Shek, 2003).

Fig.7 Red Muntjac

Red Muntjac (see Fig 7) is a large mammal, with a 60-75cm shoulder height. They have a large body on slender, delicate legs. The fur is short, shiny and reddish brown on the upperparts, somewhat darker along the midline, with whitish underparts. The tail is dark brown above, and white below. Males have rough antlers, bearing a small spike near the base and curving sharply near the tip. In the females, tufts of bristly hair and small bony knobs replace the horns. Distinctive canine teeth protrude from the upper jaws in males and can reach a length of over an inch. The common name of Muntjac is Barking Deer, because of their distinctive dog-like baking calls, which can become a rattling noise when they flee. This is a common and widespread species throughout Hong Kong.

Fig. 8 East Asian Procupine

East Asian Porcupine (see Fig 8) is a large heavily built rodent, with a short tail and with some rattle quills. The front of the body has short, dark brown spines, while the hindquarters have hollow, long, pointed quills which are conspicuously marked with black and white bands. There is a short whitish crest on the neck and upper back. The tail is short with both long, pointed quills and rattle quills. The species is common and widespread throughout Hong Kong, but no record has been found on Lantau Island.

Fig. 9 Small Indian Civet

Small Indian Civet (see Fig 9) is a relatively small civet, with a 450 to 630 mm head-to-body length. Its long tail is about two-thirds of its head to body length. The head is small with shorter and pointed muzzle. The anterior edges of two small ears are set close together on the forehead. The legs are short. The fur is brown and yellow with small black spots and strips along its side. The feet are black. There are six to eight dark stripes on the back, and the tail is ringed black and white by six to ten rings of each color. They have a scent gland on the base of the back legs. This is a common and widespread species throughout Hong Kong, except on Lantau Island.

Fig. 10 Crab-eating Mongoose

Crab-eating Mongoose (see Fig 10) is a relatively larger mongoose, with a 45 – 50 cm head-to-body length. It has a pointed head, a long tail, small ears, and a thick hair. The bushy tail is about two-thirds the length of its head to body, and it tapers to the end. They can be distinguished from Small Asian Mongoose by tall stance, shaggy brown to grey-brown fur, with a long white strip on the shoulder. Their claws have crescent-shaped membranes between digits. It is a diurnal species that is uncommon and restrictedly distributed in northern part of Hong Kong. Recent records have been found at Lin Ma Hang, Sha Tau Kok, Pat Sin Leng, Ma On Shan, and Plover Cove.

Fig. 11 Chinese Pangolin

Chinese Pangolin (see Fig 11) have a distinctive body form with a long tail, short powerful limbs, and a conical head. They have a tapering and pointed snout, no teeth, and a sticky tongue that can extend as long as 20cm. Except for the snout, belly and inner sides of limbs, the entire body is covered with large overlapping scales which are modified body hair. Their limbs are stout and claws are large, sharp and curved, and so well adapted for digging. This species is rare and thinly distributed in the New Territories and on Lantau Island . Recent records have been found in Ma On Shan, Sai Kung, Tei Tong Tsai, and Kam Shan.

Fig. 12 Eurasian Otter

Eurasian Otter (see Fig 12) has a body well adapted to their semi-aquatic life. The body is elongated, the head is broad and flattened with a naked nose pad. The ears are low and rounded. The neck is thick, the tail is long, muscular, and flexible, tapering slightly towards the end. The limbs are rather short and the fingers are webbed for swimming. The claws are short. Fur is brown to dark brown on upperparts, with paler chin and upper throat. It is short and dense, with fine under fur and coarse over fur which is made up of dense, long, strong and polished hairs. They have long whiskers for detecting prey under the water. This is a rare species in Hong Kong , with its distribution only in Mai Po and the Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site.

In Hong Kong , macaques mainly gather in Kam Shan, Lion Rock and Shing Mun Country Parks . The majority of them are Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta, while a few of them are Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis. Their population in Hong Kong was about 1,500 in 2004, reproducing at a rate of about 15 percent per year. Macaques are social animals, living in groups. The number of macaques in any one group varies from several up to nearly 200. Each group is led by a dominant male, usually powerful and aggressive. All females are loyal to their birth groups. However, low ranking males may leave the natal group at the age of 4 to 8 for better mating opportunities and less pressure on food. It is not easy for them to join other groups, owing to the presence of aggressive adult males. So eventually become solitary and move out of the territory, going away to other countryside and even to the urban areas – causing danger to humans. If not fed by people, they feed on forest plants and occasionally eat insects and small vertebrates.

Fig. 13 Rhesus Macaque

Rhesus Macaque (see Fig 13) has distinctive head shape, pinkish face and rump, and a muscular body with a short tail. The body fur varies from grayish-brown to golden brown, and it has strong reddish hind quarters. The hair on the top of the head is short.

Fig. 14 Longtailed Macaque

Longtailed Macaque (see Fig 14) has the longest tail of any Asian macaque, almost as long as its head-to-body length. The fur varies from grey to red-brown, with lighter underparts. The hair on the crown of the head grows backward, often resulting in a pointed crest. The bare skin around the face is pale brown. Males have cheek whiskers and a mustache; females have a beard. Males are heavier and larger than females.

Conservation Measures

A long-term monitoring program on Hong Kong mammals by AFCD was launched in 2001. The objectives were then, and remain: (1) to establish baseline information on Hong Kong 's mammal biodiversity. (2) to assess the conservation status of mammals. (3) to form conservation plans for the mammals. Specimens have also been collected where appropriate for authentication and reference.

The Wild Animals Protection Ordinance, Cap. 170, maintains the diversity of local wildlife. Most mammal species are protected by the Ordinance, under which no person shall, except in accordance with a special permit, hunt, disturb, buy, sell, export or offer for sale or export, have in his possession or under his control of any protected wild animal. The ban on feeding monkeys (and other wild animals) under the Ordinance has been in force since 1999, applicable to Lion Rock, Kam Shan and Shing Mun Country Parks , part of Tai Mo Shan Country Park, Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, and some of the adjacent areas where wild monkeys can be found.

In addition to Cap.170, endangered animals like pangolins, otters and monkeys are protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586, which regulates their import, export or possession.

Publicity and education programs are carried out to inform the public about the mammal biodiversity of Hong Kong and mammal conservation. This includes seminars, media announcements, posters, websites, newsletters and the field guide of Terrestrial Mammals of Hong Kong.

Key sites for Observing Mammals

Most mammals are nocturnal and avoid humans, so it is difficult to observe them. Instead, their presence must often be deduced by their tracks, and feeding or grooming signs, marking their daily routines and habitats. If you pay extra attention, you may find many well-worn tracks or narrow paths winding across fields and into woods. These provide a first clue to the presence of many mammals. If you are lucky, you may find their droppings or their footprints on worn tracks. One can often find the quill of East Asian Porcupine in our countryside areas, and if you pay extra attention, you may also find their droppings on trails. Different species of mammals have distinctive footprints and droppings, so you may be able to tell what mammal species are in an area by studying these signs and marks.

However, few diurnal common species, such as Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) and Pallas's Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) are easily found in certain Country Parks. Kam Shan Country Park is the most popular site for watching Rhesus Macaque, while Pallas's Squirrel is often seen on Hong Kong Island , especially in Tai Tam Tam Country Park .

Some bat species live in the urban areas, e.g. Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cytopterus sphinx). They usually roost under fronds of the Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis), a common ornamental plant in urban areas. Most parks and playgrounds have Chinese Fan Palm, and the roosts of Short-nosed Fruit Bat are frequently found at the height of 4-6m, under the bent over, tent-like fronds of the plant (see Fig 15).

Don'ts of Observing Mammals

Do not have any direct contact wild mammals, and it may disturb them. Also, do not feed any wild mammals, as it affects their natural diet. It is unwise to carry plastic bags when observing monkeys. Do not disturb bats in their cave or roosts, as they are sensitive to the disturbance, they may abandon their roost and migrate to other roosts with lower quality.

References

Ades, G..W.J. 1999. The species composition, distribution, and population size of Hong Kong bats. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society 22:183-209.

Chapman, C. A. 1995. Primate seed dispersal: coevolution and conservation implications. Evolutionary Anthropology 4: 74-82.

Goodyer, N.J. 1992. Notes on the land mammals of Hong Kong. Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society 19:71-78.

Herklots, G.A.C. 1951. The Hong Kong Countryside. South China Morning Post, Hong Kong.

Hill, D. S. and Philipps, K. 1981. Hong Kong Animals. Government Printer, Hong Kong.

Lofts, B. 1976. The fauna of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. Pp.13-22.

Marshall. P. 1967. Wild Mammals of Hong Kong. Oxford University Press, Hong Kong.

Nowak R. M. 1994. Walker's Bats of the world. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.

Nowak, R. M. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World. 5th ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.

Shek, C.T. 2003. Survey of Hong Kong non-flying terrestrial mammals by camera trapping in 2002. Hong Kong Biodiversity 5: 10-11.

Shek, C.T. 2004. Bats of Hong Kong: An introduction of Hong Kong bats with an illustrative identification key. Hong Kong Biodiversity 7: 1-9.

Tuttle D. M. 1998. America's neighborhood bats. The University of Texas Press. P.5-16.