Because of its appearance, the pangolin is often assumed to be a reptile, but it is in fact a mammal—the only mammal with scales. They eat insects like ants and termites with their 40-centimetre-long tongues and have existed for over 80 million years .

What do pangolins eat?

The pangolin diet primarily consists of ants and termites, along with other insect species like crickets and flies. Their bodies are perfectly designed for tearing into anthills and termite mounds as their scales protect them from bites and their sticky saliva scoops up hundreds of insects at a time. They can also close their nostrils and ears to prevent their food from wandering into the wrong entrance.

Why are pangolins trafficked?

Pangolins are thought to be the most trafficked animal in the world. They are targeted for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia. Their meat is also eaten by locals in Africa and as a delicacy in parts of Asia.

Are pangolins dangerous?

Pangolins are highly solitary and shy creatures, active only at night, and they roll into a protective ball when threatened. They are quite elusive and hard for humans to monitor, but if you did happen to meet one, it wouldn’t attack you.

What are pangolin scales used for?

Pangolin scales are used in medicine in Asia and Africa. In China and Vietnam, their medicinal properties are thought to fight severe conditions like cancer or heart disease. The scales are made from keratin, the same protein that makes up our fingernails.

Are pangolins mammals?

Despite their misleading scales, pangolins are indeed mammals. They belong to the mammalian order Pholidota , meaning “scaled animals.” The group containing the current eight pangolin species, Manidae , is the only family of Pholidota still in existence .

Are pangolins related to armadillos?

Due to their scaly appearance and insect diet, pangolins were naturally associated with creatures like anteaters, armadillos, and aardvarks. However, molecular data suggests the two groups are not closely related. Instead, it’s currently thought that Carnivora —a group containing cats, dogs, and bears—are the pangolin’s closest living relatives.

Do pangolins lay eggs?

Pangolins don’t lay eggs. They generally mate once a year (with some species having gestation periods of up to 372 days ) and bear between one and three young. Baby pangolins, known as pangopups, ride on their mothers’ tails until they are old enough to walk by themselves.

How big are pangolins?

Depending on their species, pangolins can weigh anything from 1.6 to 33 kilograms and are between 115 and 140 centimeters long. Their tongues can reach up to 40 centimeters, and the tail of the long-tailed pangolin is almost double its body length , earning it the record for the mammal with the most vertebrae.

What does a pangolin look like?

Of all the pangolin characteristics, the strong, sharp scales covering their bodies from snout to tail are definitely the most distinctive. The only places without scales are the undersides of their limbs. They have small heads, small eyes, and no teeth, relying more on their sense of smell than their eyesight to get around and find food. The pangolin’s tail is long and heavy, which helps with balance while climbing or burrowing into anthills.

How many pangolins are left in the world?

Due to their nocturnal and solitary lifestyle, pangolins are very difficult to monitor. There is more data on the number of pangolins trafficked—an estimated 895,000 between 2000 and 2019 —than on the number living in the wild. Organizations like the IUCN are confident that the demand for pangolin trade is not sustainable with the number of wild pangolins.

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