Quck answer
Pangolins are unique mammals that are found in Africa and Asia. They are known for their scaly body, long tongue, and gentle nature. Pangolins are primarily ant-eaters, but they also consume termites and other insects. They are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen during the day. Unfortunately, pangolins are under threat due to habitat loss and poaching for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these charming oddballs and their habitats.
Wild Animals
The pangolin may look like an anteater or armadillo, but it is more closely related to cats and dogs. David Brossard/Flickr (CC By-SA 2.0)
If you thought the most trafficked animal in the world preferred a diverse diet, you thought wrong – pangolins are myrmecophagous, which means they eat only ants and termites. However, this is not the only thing that sets them apart. These mammals have an unusual appearance, resembling a herbivorous dinosaur from the 1950s or a giant, earless mouse with a crusty skin condition. They also look like a craft project made of pinecone scales, or the offspring of an artichoke and a roly-poly bug. Despite their peculiar looks, pangolins are fascinating creatures – gentle, ant-eating oddballs that live in Africa and Asia.
Indigenous to Africa and Asia
There are eight species of pangolin, four native to Asia and four to Africa: Chinese pangolin, Indian pangolin, Sunda pangolin, Philippine pangolin, giant pangolin, white-bellied pangolin, black-bellied pangolin, and Temminck’s ground pangolin. Despite their resemblance to anteaters and armadillos, pangolins have a closer genetic connection to cats and dogs, although they are entirely toothless. These solitary animals spend their nights hunting for ant mounds using their sensitive noses, and their long, sticky tongues to capture their prey. When not in use, the pangolin’s tongue, which can be longer than its whole body, is coiled up in a chamber between its last set of ribs and pelvis. Pangolins of some species also consume stones and grit to help digest their food.
Although pangolins are generally slow, they can sprint when necessary, and have poor eyesight. However, they have several effective defense tactics to ward off predators. For instance, if a predator becomes interested in a pangolin, it might swim away from danger, or release a foul-smelling substance to deter the predator from attacking. However, the pangolin’s best defense mechanism is its ability to roll itself into an impenetrable ball. Its thick keratin scales, which protect it from harm, make it resemble a hedgehog. The pangolin is the only scaled mammal, and its scales continue to grow throughout its life like hair. While these plates are constantly worn down by the pangolin’s activities, such as digging burrows and crawling through tunnels, the belly is not covered in scales and has only a small amount of fur.
When threatened, a pangolin will curl up into a ball to defend itself, making it nearly invincible. Although they may seem unassuming and gentle, several species of pangolin play a crucial role in their ecosystems by controlling populations of ants and termites. The different species have varying habitat preferences with some, like the black- and white-belled pangolins of Africa, being arboreal and using their long claws to climb trees and find shelter. Other species spend their entire lives on the ground, digging burrows and foraging for insects. Their digging and scratching helps aerate the soil and promote nutrient cycling, while their burrows provide shelter to a variety of other animals. Unfortunately, pangolins are also the most trafficked animal in the world, with an estimated 2 million being poached every year. They are hunted for their meat and for their scales, which are used in traditional medicines despite lacking scientific evidence of any medicinal value. The illegal trade has led to significant population declines and increased poaching of African pangolins. However, in 2016 all eight pangolin species received more stringent protections at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), prohibiting all commercial trade in wild-caught pangolins worldwide. While it’s difficult to determine the impact of these protections on wild pangolin populations, the new laws have raised awareness and helped governments better understand the challenges facing these unique creatures.
The Temminck’s ground pangolin is at risk of being electrocuted by electric fences, with a study indicating that mortality rates may reach one individual per 7 miles (11 kilometers) of electric fence per year in southern Africa. This is a depressing situation for the species.
FAQ
1. What are pangolins?
Pangolins are mammals that are native to Africa and Asia. They are known for their unique appearance, as they have an armor-like covering made of keratin scales. They are also called scaly anteaters, as their diet consists mainly of ants and termites.
2. Why are pangolins endangered?
Pangolins are endangered because of poaching and habitat loss. Their scales are highly valued in traditional medicine, and their meat is considered a delicacy in some countries. As a result, they are hunted and traded illegally. Additionally, deforestation and other human activities have reduced their natural habitat.
3. How many species of pangolins are there?
There are eight species of pangolins in the world, four in Asia and four in Africa. All of them are currently listed as endangered or critically endangered.
4. What is the lifespan of a pangolin?
The lifespan of a pangolin varies depending on the species and the environment they live in. On average, they can live up to 20 years in the wild.
5. Are pangolins nocturnal?
Yes, pangolins are nocturnal animals. They are most active at night when they search for food and water.
6. Do pangolins have any predators?
Yes, pangolins have predators such as lions, tigers, hyenas, and humans. However, their scales provide them with some protection against these predators.
7. Can pangolins be kept as pets?
No, pangolins should not be kept as pets. They are wild animals and require a specific diet and environment to thrive. Additionally, it is illegal to capture and keep pangolins as pets in many countries.
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