The Pangolin, Manis temmincki

© http://letopis.kulichki.net/2001/image2001/pangolin.jpg

Pangolins, sometimes called scaly anteaters, are covered with protective horny,
overlapping scales.
Pangolins have small heads and long, broad tails. They are toothless and have no external
ears, although their hearing is good. Their sense of scent is well-developed, but their sight is
poor. The weight of the scales and skin make up about 20 percent of the pangolin's weight.

Pangolins are nocturnal and remain in their burrows during the day. All pangolins are able to roll
themselves into a ball to defend themselves, and it takes considerable force to unroll them.
Leopards and other large animals such as hyenas occasionally prey on pangolins.

Although pangolins gather up surface ants and termites, termite nests provide larger and more
concentrated sources of food. Pangolins dig the insects from mounds with their claws and use
their extremely long tongues (up to 16 inches in larger pangolins) to eat them.
Text about the pangolin from http://www.awf.org/wildlives/


© Photo Des & Jen Bartlett, National Geographic, March 1983