What is scaly from head to tail and can curl up into a ball?
Yes, it is an armadillo, but the answer we were looking for is a pangolin.
Pangolins are solitary and primarily nocturnal animals, who are easily recognizable by their full armor of scales. These scaly guys eat ants and termites with their extraordinarily long, sticky tongue, and when they feel threatened, they can curl up into a tight ball.
There are eight different species of pangolin. All pangolins belong to the genus Manis and the family Manidae. Manidae is the only family within the order Pholidota. Pangolins share similar characteristics with Xenarthrans, which are anteaters, armadillos, and sloths, but are actually more closely related to cats, bears, dogs, etc. who all belong to the family of Carnivora. Pangolins are found in Asia and Africa, with four species found in Asia and the other four found in Africa.
The Asian pangolins species include the:
-Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) – Critically Endangered
-Palawan pangolin (Manis culionensis) - Critically Endangered
-Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) - Critically Endangered
-Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) – Endangered
The African pangolin species include the:
-White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis)- Endangered
-Giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea)-Endangered
-Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)- Vulnerable
-Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla)- Vulnerable
Pangolin species vary in size from about 1.6 kilograms to a maximum of 33 kilograms. They can vary in color from light to yellowish brown through an olive to dark brown. Their protective, overlapping scales cover most of their bodies. Their scales are made from keratin, which is the same protein that forms in human hair and nails. A pangolin’s scales overlap one another like artichoke leaves. The scales grow throughout their life just like hair. A pangolin’s underbelly does not have scales and is covered in sparse fur.
Their conical shaped heads, long sticky tongue, and jaws that lack teeth make it easy for reaching and lapping up ants and termites in deep cavities. Pangolins have poor vision, so they use their amazing sense of smell to find food. A pangolin’s limbs are stout and adapted for digging. Each of their paws has five toes and their forefeet have three long, curved claws used to demolish ant and termite nests and to create sleeping burrows.
Pangolins are found in a variety of habitats, which include tropical and flooded forests, cleared and cultivated areas, thick brush, savannah grasslands and deserts. Asian pangolins are threatened by a loss of habitat due to expanding agriculture and other human uses.
All eight species of pangolins are protected under national and international laws, but they are still poached and trafficked. Pangolins are trafficked by the thousands for their scales, which are boiled off their bodies for the use in traditional medicine; for their meat which is a high-end delicacy in China; and for their blood which is seen as a healing tonic. On the black market their prices are increasing day by day. About 10,000 pangolins are trafficked illegally every year. The population of the pangolins left in the wild is unknown. But scientists and conservationists say the number is shrinking extremely fast.
How can we do our part in helping pangolins?
Spread the word. Tell family and friends about pangolins. In recent years, more people around the world have learned about pangolins and the threats to them. This has directly led to more support for policy reform, scientific research, and more conservation efforts. You can help by spreading the word about pangolins and how they are in trouble. Don’t eat pangolins. Refuse to eat food containing pangolin meat. Don’t buy pangolin products. Say no to pangolin medicine, no to pangolin wine, no to pangolin jewellery, no to pangolin scales or leather. Report wildlife crimes. And donate. You can donate at https://www.savepangolins.org/help to help the conservation of Pangolins.
Written by Ishaan Shrimali and art by Ashlyn Tracy Ribeiro
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