Armed with armor made of scales and long claws, this mesmerizing mammal roams parts of Asia and Africa. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this animal so intriguing. Here are 10 amazing facts about the pangolin.
1. They Get Their Names from a Malay Word
Photo credit: Living On Earth
The word pangolin comes from the Malay word for “rolling over”. When threatened or intimidated, pangolins will curl into a tight ball. In this form, they shrink to less than half their regular size. Using this resilient defense mechanism, they keep their vulnerable areas, like their stomachs and heads, safe from predators.
2. There are Multiple Species of Pangolin
Photo credit: Greater Good Charities
In total, there are currently eight species of pangolins that have been found. Four are in Asia (Chinese, Indian, Sunda, Phillipine) and four are in Africa (giant pangolin, ground pangolin, white-bellied, black-bellied). Of these, the giant pangolin is the largest and can grow up to 4 feet in length. It’s not only for its size but also its strong claws that make it a skilled digger.
On the other hand, the Philippine pangolin is the smallest of the pangolin species. It typically reaches lengths of 18-20 inches and only weighs 2-3 pounds on average. Sadly, Philippine pangolin populations are dwindling due to habitat loss and poaching.
3. Their Scales Harden Over Time
Photo credit: Mongabay
At birth, the scales of a baby pangolin are soft. Over the course of the next two days, they harden into a protective shell. However, even with this protective armor, young pangolins will stay with their mothers for the first three months of their lives. From their mums, they learn important survival skills, such as foraging for food and digging. Once baby pangolins are old enough, they are gradually weaned off, and mothers will leave to encourage independence.
4. They Love to Munch on Insects
Photo credit: Pangolin Crisis Fund
Pangolins are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active once the sun goes down. At night, they will leave their burrows and forage for food. As insectivores, their diets are made up primarily of insects. Ants and termites are some of their favorites!
Keen noses lead pangolins towards insect mounds, and their sharp claws allow them to dig up colonies. Then they’ll use their tapered noses and very sticky tongues to lap up insects. They can eat thousands of insects each day, and their scales protect them from being bitten. Some have been documented consuming up to 70 million insects in a single year.
5. They are the World’s Most Trafficked Animal
Photo credit: Pangolin Crisis Fund
Unfortunately, all species of pangolin are either vulnerable or critically endangered. There is a high demand for their scales and claws for purported medicinal benefits, and in some Asian countries, they are considered to be a delicacy. It should be mentioned that there is no scientific evidence or research in support of any medicinal benefits of any part of a pangolin’s body to date.
While there are international trade bans on pangolins, trafficking continues to be a significant issue. Poachers and trading groups are routinely finding new and innovative ways to buy and sell these magnificent animals.
6. They Don’t Have Teeth
Photo credit: Africa Geographic
If you asked a pangolin to smile for a picture, it wouldn’t be able to. Why? They don’t have teeth! Unlike humans, pangolins don’t have teeth to grind and break up their food. Rather, they rely on specialized stomach muscles that squeeze food into bits. Pangolins have also been documented ingesting small rocks and pebbles to help with breaking down their food in their stomachs.
7. Pangolins are Closely Related to Dogs and Other Carnivores
Photo credit: Wanderlust Magazine
Belonging to the Pholidota order, pangolins are actually more closely related to carnivores like dogs and bears than they are to anteaters and armadillos. These animals belong to a separate group known as Xenarthra.
8. Their Scales are Made of the Same Material as Human Hair
Photo credit: Pangolin Crisis Fund
Pangolins have a unique defense mechanism and are the only mammals that are covered in scales. These scales are made of a protein called keratin—the same protein that forms the structure of human hair! Their armor is not light to carry around either. It’s been reported that a pangolin’s outer shell can weigh up to 20 percent of its body weight.
9. They Have Very Poor Hearing and Vision
Photo credit: PBS
As nocturnal animals, pangolins don’t have a need for hyperacute vision. They also have poor hearing, which might make you wonder how these adorable animals survive in the wild. It turns out that what they lack in their eyes and ears, they make up for with their super sense of smell. Pangolins rely on their powerful noses to sense prey and predators, allowing them to expertly navigate their surroundings.
10. Fingerprinting Could be Employed to Help Save the Pangolins
Photo credit: Planet Wild
A couple of years ago, National Geographic did a feature on how a technique often employed in forensic science—gel fingerprinting—could help to prevent pangolin trafficking. The method involves using gelatin sheets adhered to pangolin scales that capture the fingerprints of those who handle the animals. Then, using these fingerprints, authorities can locate and identify individuals involved in the illegal trafficking of pangolins. It’s a simple and effective method that can be easily implemented.
