Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters, are unique creatures that are covered in hard, plate-like scales. They are insectivorous (feeding on ants and termites) and have a long sticky tongue to help them catch their prey. There are eight species of pangolin found across Africa and Asia, each with its own distinct characteristics. In this article we will explore the fascinating world of pangolins and learn about their habitats, diets, behaviors and more.
Types of Pangolins
There are eight species of pangolin found in the wild today: Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis), Palawan Pangolin (Manis culionensis), African White-bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Giant Ground Pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) and Temminck’s Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii). Each species has its own unique characteristics such as size, coloration and diet.
Habitats
Pangolins can be found in a variety of habitats including tropical forests, grasslands, savannas and even deserts. They prefer areas with plenty of cover such as trees or shrubs where they can hide from predators. Some species such as the Chinese pangolin live in burrows while others like the African white-bellied pangolin live in hollow logs or tree cavities.
Diets
Pangolins have an incredibly diverse diet which includes ants, termites, beetles, larvae and other insects. A single pangolin can eat up to 70 million insects in a year! They use their long sticky tongues to capture their prey which can be up to 40 cm long!
Behaviors
Pangolins are solitary animals that are mostly active at night. During the day they rest in burrows or tree cavities where they curl into a tight ball for protection from predators such as lions or hyenas. When threatened by a predator they will roll up into an even tighter ball making it difficult for the predator to get hold of them due to their tough scales.
Conservation Status
Unfortunately all eight species of pangolins are currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and illegal hunting for their meat and scales which is used in traditional medicines. It is estimated that over 600 000 pangolins were illegally traded between 2000 – 2019 alone! Conservation efforts must be made if we want these incredible animals to survive into future generations.
Sources:
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/p
