Most pangolins are found in Asia, though there are a growing number in Africa, too. Altogether, there are eight species of pangolin, and all of them range from “vulnerable” to “ critically endangered ” status, as ranked by the WWF.
You may be wondering “Are pangolins anteaters?”
Pangolin Pangolins, sometimes known as scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota (, from Ancient Greek ϕολιδωτός -). The one extant family, the Manidae, has three genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia.
There are eight species of pangolins, four of which live in Africa and four in Asia ( Figure 1 ). Pangolins are very diverse. Some live in tropical forests, where they use their long tails to climb trees, while others walk on two legs through the vast deserts and savannahs of Africa.
Do pangolin lay eggs?
Although it is commonly stated that pangolins reproduce by laying eggs, this is untrue. Pangolins are mammals, and their reproduction cycle mirrors that of other mammals in the world.
Another question we ran across in our research was “Do pangolins have hair?”.
These cute little scaled animals are listed as endangered or critically endangered and need to be protected. The pangolin have scaels which are completely made out of keratin; yes, it is the same keratin which our hair are made of. Sadly these cute beings are world’s most trafficked animal which is why now they are so rare to find.
Are pangolins endangered species?
Three of the four Asian pangolins — the Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ), Sunda pangolin ( Manis javanica ), and Philippine pangolin — are critically endangered, while the Indian pangolin ( Manis crassicaudata) is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Humans are the one predator that pangolins have little defense against. Against its natural predators, big cats like lions, tigers and leopards, pangolins can curl up into balls as the following picture shows: Looks like a bad day at the office for this pangolin. Curling up in a ball allows their tough scales to protect them from being eaten.
Pangolins are mammals. Some people think Pangolin scales can be used as medicine, even though there is no science that says Pangolin scales are healthy for you. Pangolins eat ants and termites. They are a very rare known creature. Pangolin’s habitats are being destroyed.
What is a pangolin and why are they trafficked?
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.