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Animal
of the Month
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May
2017
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Name:
Pangolin
Classification:
Class: Mammalia Infraclass: Eutheria Superorder: Laurasiatheria Order: Pholidota Family: Tachyglossidae Genus: Zaglossus Number of Species: 8
Characteristics: A
snout, scaly armor all along the body, long claws, very long tongue Not well-known in the western
world but known very well in Asia and Africa, pangolins are one of the
most threatened animals in the world. Often called "scaly anteaters",
pangolins are small mammals set apart by their trademark scales. They
resemble armadillos, but are actually more closely related to carnivores.
There are eight species of pangolin; four live in Africa and four live
in Asia. Pangolins grow between 12 and 39 inches long and can way as
much as 75 pounds! They are insectivores and prefer to eat ants and
termites, but will eat crickets and other insects. A pangolin eats its
meals with its tongue...a tongue that is longer than it's whole body!
Pangolins live over a wide
variety of habitats, including tropical and flooded forests, thick brush,
and grasslands. Some species of pangolin live in trees while others
live in burrows underground. Pangolins cannot see or hear well, but
their sense of smell is very strong. Pangolins are mostly nocturnal
animals. They are solitary except when seeking a mate. After a gestation
period of 120-150 days, a pangolin will give birth. African pangolins
give birth to one baby at a time, whereas Asian pangolins give birth
to one-to-three at a time. Babies will ride on their mother's backs
and start to eat insects at about three months. They will go off on
their own at about two years old. Pangolin plates are made
of keratin, the same material your fingernails are made of. There are
carnivores such as lions that would like to make a meal of a pangolin,
but they usually are out of luck. When approached by a threat, a pangolin
will curl into a ball, similar to an armadillo. Its scales are so tough
and sharp that once it curls up almost nothing can hurt it. As an extra
defense measure, pangolins can also emit a stinky fluid that discourages
predators. Pangolins do not handle stress
well. Just being in the presence of a pangolin for too long can stress
it out, and enough stress can even kill the poor thing! Very few zoos
in the world keep pangolins. Pangolins are threatened
due to widespread destruction of their habitat. They are also mercilessly
poached and sold to black market dealers who sell them as an illegal
delicacy. Their scales are also said to be useful in curing various
ailments including cancer. Pangolin skin and blood are also sought for
medicinal purposes. Make no mistake; pangolin medicines will NOT give
any benefits to your body whatsoever! There is absolutely NO evidence
to suggest that medicines with pangolin body parts will cure cancer
or otherwise improve your health! Want to help protect pangolins?
Check out these organizations dedicated to pangolin conservation! Save Pangolins-Dedicated
to protecting and educating the world about pangolins Project Pangolin-Another
organization dedicated to preserving this wonderful species CNN, "The Most Trafficked
Mammal You've Never Heard Of". This article from CNN brought
the plight of the pangolin into the Western spotlight! Don't forget to celebrate
World Pangolin Day on Feburary 21st!!! |
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