PANGOLIN

Unique facts about Pangolins

There are 8 species of pangolin in the world. 4 in Asia and 4 in Africa

Pangolins are endangered

They are insectivorous (feeding on insects )They mainly eat ants and termites

Pangolins are secretive, solitary, and nocturnal.

Pangolins have large, curved claws that they use for excavating ant and termite nests, as well as for pulling bark off trees and logs to find their insect prey.

Pangolins’ scales are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails.

Their scales cover the entire body from head to tip of tail except for their undersides, which are covered with a few hairs.

Pangolins reach sexual maturity after two years, and typically only give birth to a single young per pregnancy.

Their gestation period last between 69–150 days, depending on species

Young are usually weaned at around three months of age.

Special glands near the animal’s anus secrete a pungently odorous fluid that is used for marking its territory. Like many other animals, they also scent mark with their feces and urine.

 The scales of pangolins comprise about 20% of their total body weight.

They do not have teeth and are unable to chew. Instead, they have long sticky tongues that they use to catch the insects they feed on.

Some species, such as the Long-tailed pangolin, have prehensile tails that help in climbing in trees and hanging from branches.

When the pangolin’s tongue is fully extended, it can be up to 16 inches (over 40 centimeters) longer than its entire body length.

These animals can voluntarily constrict their ears and nostrils to keep insects out while they are feeding.

The biggest threat to all pangolin species today is illegal, commercial hunting for human consumption.

Despite the fact that scientific studies have proven that keratinous body parts of other animals (e.g. rhino horns) are void of any medicinal or curative properties, many continue to consume pangolin scales to prevent health problem

Pangolins lack teeth, stomach contents are ground with small pebbles to aid in digestion.

Pangolins have poor vision and hearing, but they have a strong sense of smell.

A single pangolin consumes over 70 million insects per year.

Some species find shelter in trees, while others live in underground burrows.

Baby pangolins travel around with their mothers by riding on the base of her tail.

Giant ground pangolin is the largest of all eight species. Long-tailed pangolin is the smallest.

Pangolin is the most trafficked mammal.