SCIENTIFIC NAME
Manis pentadactyla
Chinese Pangolin
Manis pentadactyla
Chinese Pangolin
Despite their name, Chinese pangolins are not confined to China and live in ten countries across East Asia.
Chinese pangolins are primarily solitary, and secretive, living in a wide range of habitats. Populations have plummeted in recent years as a result of hunting by people, and Chinese pangolins are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Key Chinese Pangolin Facts
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
SIZE
89cm including tail; tail usually up to 40cm
WEIGHT
3-5 kg
DIET
Carnivorous/insectivorous (termite and ant-based diet)
HABITAT
Forested areas, grasslands, agricultural regions
RANGE
Southern China, northern southeast Asia and northern Indian subcontinent
POPULATION
Unknown, declining
THREATS
Illegal trade, habitat loss, hunting
Did you know?!
Chinese pangolins have been seen lying on the ground when feeding, erecting their scales and allowing ants to climb onto their body. They will then quickly close their scales, trapping the ants. Then, they enter a body of water and re-erect their scales, releasing the ants, who float and the pangolin can eat them!
How to recognise a Chinese pangolin
Physical characteristics
Pangolins are unique as the only mammal covered in overlapping scales. These scales are made of keratin, the same material as our fingernails.
The tail of Chinese pangolins is notably shorter tail than other pangolin species, measuring less than the half their total body length. Their scales are dark olive brown, dark brown, yellow-brown or dark grey. Similarly to other Asian pangolin species, Chinese pangolins have whitish to pale brown bristles growing at the base of their scales.
Chinese pangolins, like other species, have long, sticky tongues which they quickly extend and retract to capture their prey.
The stomach of Chinese pangolins has two chambers, the first a storage chamber and the second is used for mastication – where food is ground up using their thick muscular stomach walls lined with small keratinous spines and small stones/soil that are ingested.
Unique traits
Often confused with the other Asian pangolin species, Chinese pangolins’ characteristics can be used to distinguish them from the other species. They have a shorter tail, thicker body, very large front claws and their ear pinnae (visible part of the ear) are the largest of any pangolin species, with ear flaps that extend away from the head. Male Chinese pangolins are up to 30% heavier than females. When pangolins are threatened, they often roll into a ball and their scales act as a form of defence.
(c) to Ms. Sarita Jnawali of NTNC
Where do Chinese pangolins live?
Chinese pangolins live in China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Thailand and Taiwan. It is likely that they have been extirpated (eradicated) from much of their current range due to high levels of exploitation.
The habitats they are found in are wide ranging, from primary and secondary tropical forests to broad-leaf, bamboo, limestone and coniferous forests, agricultural fields and grasslands
What do Chinese pangolins eat?
Chinese pangolin diet consists of ants and termites. Their diet appears to vary by season. Research carried out in China has found that in summer Chinese pangolins primarily feed on ants, while in winter, they preferred termites. This is likely due to seasonal fluctuations in prey availability.
(c) WCT
Chinese Pangolin Behaviour & Reproduction
Behaviour
Chinese pangolins are solitary, nocturnal animals. They are primarily terrestrial but are able to climb trees. Like other pangolin species, they are also able to swim well.
Chinese pangolins dig their own burrows and have been recorded having two types of burrows: feeding burrows, which are typically only used once, and resident burrows which are used for resting, shelter and sleep. Feeding burrow depth appears to vary depending on season in some areas, with feeding borrows deeper in winter compared to summer.
They use their strong claws for digging into prey nests, balancing on their hindlegs while they dig. Resident burrows are usually well-hidden by vegetation and Chinese pangolins appear to actively choose their resting burrow locations.
Reproduction
Female pangolins are pregnant for around 6-7 months, until they give birth to a single offspring, or twins rarely. Young will stay with their mother until they reach independence. If threatened, females will curl tightly around her offspring to protect them. Weaning likely occurs around 5-6 months.
In parts of China, they appear to be seasonal breeders, giving birth from August to February. More research is needed to discover the intricacies of Chinese pangolin life history.
Are Chinese pangolins endangered?
Yes, Chinese pangolins are considered ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN. The exact population of Chinese pangolins remains unknown but populations are declining. Due to their mysterious nature and rapidly changing habitats in some areas, it has been difficult for researchers to get accurate information to determine pangolin populations.
There are several reasons why Chinese pangolins are endangered – please use the drop-down menus below to find out more about the biggest threats to their population.
There are several reasons why Chinese pangolins are endangered – please use the drop-down menus below to find out more about the biggest threats to their population.
The illegal trade in pangolins is largely driven by market demands in China, mainly involving live animals and scales, originating from Southeast and South Asia.
In both China and Vietnam, people will pay high prices for pangolin meat as it is considered a luxury wild meat dish.
Pangolin scales are used in traditional medicine in China and Vietnam, prescribed for ailments such as skin conditions, blood circulation and cancer.
At a local level, Chinese pangolins have been used across their range historically but the booming trade which has only recently developed is what threatens the species.
Habitat loss is a secondary threat faced by Chinese pangolins. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, where poaching and hunting is a lesser threat to populations, infrastructure development threatens pangolin populations.
The main Chinese pangolin predator is humans. Populations have severely declined in recent years as a result of trade for consumption. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, feral dogs also pose a risk to pangolins.
There are few records of natural Chinese pangolin predators, but it is likely that leopards and possibly pythons prey on this species.
What is Born Free doing to help Chinese pangolins?
There is still so much to discover about Chinese pangolins, and this is one of the reasons it is so important to protect them, and their habitats. Find out more below...
Wildlife Trade and Policy Change
Chinese pangolins are threatened across their range and work is needed to reduce consumer demand. Born Free’s policy team attend global meetings and lobby decision-makers to speak up for pangolins and Born Free helped co-found the Global Initiative to #EndWildlifeCrime which calls for a UN agreement to tackle wildlife trafficking.
Community Engagement
Pangolins are one of Born Free’s six primary species, as outlined in our Pathways to Freedom Strategy. We will work tirelessly to protect pangolins by working with communities living alongside pangolins, to reduce poaching and protect pangolin habitat.
Rescue & Rehabilitation
We are dedicated to protecting pangolins and support rescue and rehabilitation efforts, to carefully prepare orphaned 'pangopups' for a return back to the wild wherever possible.
Adopt a pangolin
The Pangolin Family lives in Malawi, in southeast Africa. Pangolins are one of the most illegally traded mammal species. Lilongwe Wildlife Trust rescues pangolins who are injured, orphaned or confiscated from wildlife traffickers.
Your adoption will help Born Free care for pangolins rescued and rehabilitated by Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, and to monitor their progress once released back into the wild. In addition, your adoption will help to fund our work to campaign against the illegal wildlife trade and protect their natural habitat.