Common pangolin
(Manis temminckii), giant pangolin (Manis gigantea),
Class Mammalia
Family: Manidae
order Pholidota.
The order Pholidota is exclusive to Pangolins
Size:
27 to 42 inches
(common pangolin)
Weight: 30 to 40 pounds (common pangolin)
Lifespan: 20 years
Habitat: Dense forest to forested savannas
Diet: Insectivorous
Gestation: 5 months
Predators: Leopards, hyenas, humans
The name means "the roller" due to their habit of rolling into a ball for protection
They feed mainly on termites or ants depending on the season. .
They are the only known mammal to posess scales.It is said this armour of scales can deflect a bullet from a .303 rifle fired from 100m.
Although these slow and deliberate animals may initially look related to Anteaters, it is now believed that their similarities may be more accurately described as adaptations to a common way of life rather then to actual relationship. Pangolins are often called "Scaly Anteaters" because of the abundance of scales covering their bodies. The top of the head and limbs, as well as the entire back and tail, are completely scaled. The body is low to the ground and the belly is covered with sparse hair .Scales, coupled with the ability to curl into a tight ball, give these unique animals a very capable defense against predators. When threatened, the animal rolls into a ball and erects the scales, points upward, so that it resembles a large pinecone. It also secretes a foul-smelling liquid.
Pangolin skulls have an elongated snout.
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Pangolin Skull
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This is a tell-tale sign of an animal whose mouth must support a 25cm-long tongue. This long tongue is utilized to probe into Ant and termite burrows to extract these insects for consumption. This diet of soft insects explains the Pangolins total lack of teeth as well as their poorly developed attachments for chewing muscles.
A female gives birth to 1 young after a gestation period of 5 months. Pangolins are normally solitary. Females are usually alone with their young, but occasionally are accompanied in their burrow by a male. The young are 6 inches long and weigh 12 ounces at birth. Their pale, soft scales begin to harden by the second day. The baby is folded in the mother's lap or rolled-up body. Nursed for 3 to 4 months, it begins to eat termites at 1 month. At this time the infant begins to accompany the mother, perhaps riding on the base of her tail. If the mother senses danger the baby slips under her and is protected when she rolls up her body.
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