Pangolin

Pangolins, sometimes known as scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota. The one extant family, the Manidae, has three genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia. Manis comprises the four species found in Asia, while Phataginus and Smutsia include two species each, all found in sub-Saharan Africa. These species range in size from 30 to 100 cm. A number of extinct pangolin species are also known. Pangolins have large, protective keratin scales, similar in material to fingernails and toenails, covering their skin; they are the only known mammals with this feature. They live in hollow trees or burrows, depending on the species. Pangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites, which they capture using their long tongues. They tend to be solitary animals, meeting only to mate and produce a litter of one to three offspring, which they raise for about two years.

Read more in the app

Pangolin-poaching hot spots revealed by DNA tests

DNA Study Reveals Cryptic New Species of Pangolin

A Mystery Species Was Discovered in Trafficked Pangolin Scales

Pangolin, the inspiration for a medical robot

New Species Discovered: The Youngest Pangolin From Europe

Two-Million-Year-Old Pangolin Fossil Found in Romania

Researchers discover fossil of new species of pangolin in Europe

Pangolin trafficking: Nigeria’s illegal trade