While exploring the Wonderopolis jungle, we overheard a conversation among some animals about a mysterious creature:
Lion: What is that thing? It’s eating ants. Is it an anteater?
Anteater: No! It’s not one of us. It has scales. Is it an armadillo?
Armadillo: No! I have never seen such a creature before. It looks like an artichoke.
Monkey: A walking vegetable? That’s nonsense! I’m just going to ask it. Hey buddy! What are you?
Lion: Did you see that? It just rolled into a ball. Maybe it’s a living soccer ball!
We had to leave, so we couldn’t find out if the animals figured out who – and what – the stranger was. But it’s okay because we already know it was a pangolin!
The pangolin is sometimes referred to as the “scaly anteater.” Some people also describe it as a pinecone with legs or an artichoke with a tail. However you define it, the pangolin is definitely a peculiar-looking creature!
Although some people mistake it for a reptile, the pangolin is a mammal. It is actually the only mammal that is covered in scales. These scales are made of keratin, which is the same protein found in human hair and fingernails.
Pangolins have scales that serve as a protective shield, helping them defend against predators in the wild. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball to protect themselves. This behavior is what gives them their name, which comes from the Malay word (penggulung) meaning “roller.” They can also use the sharp scales on their tails to deter attackers.
Pangolins come in different sizes, ranging from as small as a cat to as large as a big armadillo. They are usually solitary, nocturnal creatures that live in burrows and use their long, sticky tongues to feed on ants and termites.
There are eight species of pangolins, with four found in Africa (Black-bellied, White-bellied, Giant Ground, and Temminck’s Ground pangolins) and four in Asia (Indian, Philippine, Sunda, and Chinese pangolins).
Unfortunately, pangolins are gaining more notoriety today as they are now considered the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world. They are particularly in demand in Asian countries like China and Vietnam.
Their meat is considered a delicacy, and their scales are used in various folk remedies and traditional medicines. Despite being protected by international law, all eight species of pangolins are either vulnerable or endangered.
Try It Out
Are you ready to learn more about pangolins? Make sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Are you familiar with the appearance of pangolins? Go online and browse through the Pangolin Photo Gallery to view images of pangolins in their natural habitat. You will also find close-up shots of their scales and the consequences of pangolin poaching.
- Several species of pangolins are in a vulnerable state, with at least two Asian species being critically endangered. If you were a wildlife conservationist, what actions would you take to protect pangolins in the wild? Write down at least five ideas and share them with a friend or family member.
- Interested in contributing to the efforts to save pangolins? Visit the World Wildlife Fund website to discover how you can virtually “Adopt a Pangolin.” Do you think a real pangolin would be a suitable pet? Explain your reasoning and consider where you would acquire all the ants necessary to feed it.
Recommended Sources
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/pangolin
- http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/04/opinion/sutter-change-the-list-pangolin-trafficking/
- http://savepangolins.org/what-is-a-pangolin/
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