What is a pangolin?

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Pangolin

• Class: Mammal
• Species: 4 species in Africa; 3 in Southeast Asia

• Lives in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa
• Tropical Habitat
• Kafue National Park, in dry woodland or scrub terrain. (Zambia, Africa)
• Most species are ground dwellers, but some live in trees (arboreal).

Ground dwelling pangolins have strong, short legs with claws on their feet for digging into termite mounds for food. The arboreal (tree dwelling) pangolins have prehensile* tails that they use both for balance and as a hook to hang from. The tree dwelling pangolin sleeps at night in a tree hollow by rolling up into a ball.   Ground dwelling pangolins live in  burrows. 

[*A prehensile tail is one that is adapted for grasping by wrapping around things.  Monkeys also have prehensile tails.]

• Feeds at night, sleeps during the day
• Eats termites and ants
• Uses its long sticky tongue to catch them

• Long sticky tongue

The pangolin's tongue can be extended about 10 inches (25 cm) and has muscular roots that attach to the animal's pelvic bone!

• Short, powerful legs with clawed feet
• Long tail
• Head shaped like a cone
• Body is covered with large, flat, horny scales that overlap each other
• Has no teeth
• The lower jaw is a small blade like bone.

• Pangolins vary in size from about 3 feet to 6 feet in length.

The Long-Tailed Pangolin is smallest, at about 3 feet (1 meter) long and weighing 3-4 pounds (2 kg). The Giant Pangolin is almost 6 feet (2 meters) long and weighs 70 pounds (32 kg).

• Humans are its worst enemy

Humans kill it to eat. They also use its skin to make leather shoes, belts and other items. Pangolin scales are used in Chinese and African medicine. Humans also destroy its habitat.

• It rolls up into a ball when it is threatened.
• Pangolins can lash out with their razor sharp scales.
• Pangolins have scent glands similar to those of the skunk which they can use to spray enemies.
• Pangolins can amble along on all fours, but for speed they stand up on two feet using their long tail for support. They run at a speed of about 3 miles (5 km) per hour.

Does it have any other names?

• Three Asian species are considered Endangered.
• One African species is considered Endangered.

Reason: Habitat destruction and hunting

Information adapted from: www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/pholidota.html

www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/pholidota.html
www.animalomnibus.com