Pangolin

Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota (/fɒlɪˈdoʊtə/). They have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin. Depending on the species, pangolins live in hollow trees or burrows. They are nocturnal and mainly eat ants and termites, which they catch with their long tongues.

Pangolins are mostly solitary, meeting only to mate and have one to three babies, which they care for about two years. Unfortunately, pangolins face serious dangers. People sometimes take them for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine. Their homes are also being lost because of heavy deforestation. Because of these threats, pangolins are among the most trafficked animals in the world. Many pangolin species are now considered threatened and need protection to survive.

Etymology

The name "pangolin" comes from a word in the Malay language, pengguling, which means "one who rolls up." This name describes how pangolins curl up into a ball when they feel threatened. Different cultures have their own names for pangolins, reflecting their unique appearances and behaviors.

Description

Pangolins look very interesting because of their large, overlapping scales that harden as they grow older. These scales are made from a material called keratin, the same thing that makes up human fingernails and animal claws. They are very different from reptile scales. When pangolins feel danger, they can curl up into a ball, using their scales like armor to protect themselves.

These animals have short legs with sharp claws, which they use to dig into ant and termite mounds or climb trees. They can also release a strong-smelling liquid from glands near their bottom to scare away enemies, much like a skunk. Pangolins have very long tongues, which they can stretch up to about 40 centimeters to reach ants and termites.

Behaviour

Most pangolins are nocturnal animals, which means they are active mostly at night. They use their strong sense of smell to find insects to eat. One type, the long-tailed pangolin, is also active during the day, while others spend their days sleeping and curling up into a ball.

Arboreal pangolins, which live in trees, stay in hollow parts of trees. Those that live on the ground dig tunnels as deep as about 3.5 metres. Pangolins can walk in different ways and are also good swimmers.

Diet

Pangolins eat insects, mostly ants and termites, and sometimes other bugs like larvae. They can eat up to 140–200 grams of insects each day. Pangolins cannot see very well and do not have teeth. Instead, they rely on their sense of smell and hearing. They have strong front legs and claws to dig into trees, soil, and vegetation to find their food. Their long tongues help them reach insects inside tunnels. Their tongues are sticky, so the insects stick to them. Since they do not have teeth, they swallow small stones that help grind up the insects in their stomachs.

Reproduction

Pangolins usually meet only to have babies, and this usually happens at night near a watering hole. Males are bigger than females and sometimes fight using their tails. After mating, the baby pangolin is born after about 70 to 140 days, depending on the species. Most African pangolins have one baby at a time, while some Asian species can have one to three babies. The baby pangolins are born with soft, white scales that harden after a few days. The mother stays close to her baby and wraps her body around it if danger comes. The baby clings to the mother's tail when she moves. After about three months, the baby starts eating insects along with nursing, and becomes ready to leave on its own at about two years old.

Classification and phylogeny

Further information: List of pholidotans

Pangolins belong to a group of animals called Pholidota. They are closely related to carnivores, such as cats and dogs, and share a common ancestor that lived about 75 million years ago.

There are two main groups of pangolins: Asian and African. Asian pangolins are found in places like India and China, while African pangolins live in parts of Africa. Scientists study these animals to learn more about their family tree and where they came from.

Common name	Binomial name	Population	Status	Trend	Image
Cryptic pangolin	Manis mysteria	unknown	NE
Philippine pangolin	Manis culionensis	unknown	CR
Sunda pangolin	Manis javanica	unknown	CR
Chinese pangolin	Manis pentadactyla	45,000-120,000	CR
Indian pangolin	Manis crassicaudata	unknown	EN
White-bellied pangolin	Phataginus tricuspis	unknown	EN
Giant ground pangolin (Giant pangolin)	Smutsia gigantea	unknown	EN
Black-bellied pangolin (Long-tailed pangolin)	Phataginus tetradactyla	unknown	VU
Temminck's ground pangolin (Ground pangolin)	Smutsia temminckii	unknown	VU

Threats

See also: Pangolin trade

Pangolins face serious threats because some people believe their scales have special powers and their meat is a special food. This has led to many pangolins being taken from the wild, making them one of the most taken animals in the world. Because of this, and because their homes are being cut down, pangolin numbers have dropped a lot.

All pangolin species are protected by international rules that stop people from trading them, but some people still take them illegally. This has caused big problems for pangolin populations in many places.

Virology

See also: Origin of SARS-CoV-2

Scientists discovered that a part of a protein from pangolins matched very closely with the virus that caused COVID-19. This led some to think pangolins might have helped spread the virus, especially because pangolins were sometimes taken from the wild for use in medicine. However, later studies showed that pangolins were not likely to spread the virus to humans.

Researchers have also found other kinds of viruses in pangolins, including some that are related to diseases that can affect people. Even so, pangolins usually carry these viruses without getting sick themselves.

Folk medicine

Pangolin scales and flesh have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. People have believed these parts can help with different health issues, even though there is no proof they work. These beliefs have led to many pangolins being taken from the wild.

Records show that as far back as 500 CE, people used pangolin scales to protect against ant bites or to help with crying at night. Over time, other uses were suggested, like helping women produce more milk when breastfeeding. Even today, some people still believe pangolin parts can improve health, but scientists say these ideas are not based on facts. Unfortunately, this demand for pangolin parts continues to harm pangolin populations.

Conservation

Pangolins face serious threats because of illegal trade in their skin, scales, and meat. Because of this, all eight pangolin species are considered threatened. In 2014, a global action plan called "Scaling up Pangolin Conservation" was started to help protect pangolins. This plan focuses on stopping poaching and trafficking, and teaching communities why pangolins are important.

Efforts to breed pangolins in captivity have had little success because they need wide habitats and special diets. Pangolins can get sick more easily and often suffer from diseases or parasites, which makes it hard for them to live in captivity. Some people have tried farming pangolins to reduce illegal trade, but this has not worked well. Every year on the third Saturday in February, World Pangolin Day helps raise awareness about these amazing animals.

Taiwan has become a important place for pangolin conservation. The country passed laws in 1989 to protect wildlife, and special centers have been set up to care for pangolins. These centers work with local communities and police to stop poaching and trafficking, helping pangolins survive in their natural homes. Today, Taiwan has one of the highest numbers of pangolins in the world.