The animals are trafficked mainly for their scales, which are believed to treat a variety of health conditions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and as a luxury food in Vietnam and China. In Africa, pangolins are sold as a form of bushmeat, for ritual or spiritual purposes, and use in traditional African medicine.
The next thing we wondered was; what are pangolins related to?
Fun facts
A single pangolin can eat up to 70 million insects in a year. Pangolins are more closely related to cats, dogs, and bears than to armadillos and anteaters. These animals close their ears and nostrils to keep out insects while eating. A pangolin’s scales make up about 20 percent of its weight. Pangolins are the only mammals with scales.
Their scales are dangerous weapons. If threatened, the pangolin will perform a cutting motion with its scales if anything is inserted between them—that’s a nasty shock for a strange paw or snout! Do pangolins bite? They are so tough that even lions can’t bite through them! To protect themselves, pangolins can roll.
What characteristics do pangolins have?
Top 5 facts about Pangolins. Pangolin means ‘roller’There are eight species of pangolin. Pangolins are threatened. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world . You can help pangolins.
[ Pangolin Photos: Scaly Mammals Threatened with Extinction] There are eight different pangolin species, which vary in size from 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) to 39 inches (99 cm) long. They weigh from about 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kilograms) to 73 lbs. (33 kg), according to the Save Pangolins organization.
Why are pangolins so prized in China?
The pangolin, the most trafficked mammal on Earth, is prized for its meat and its unique scales, which are said to have medicinal properties. Peter Knights, CEO of the WildAid charity, said that while China’s ban was welcome, a global effort was required to end the drastic decline in the world’s pangolin populations.