SCIENTIFIC NAME
Manis culionensis
Philippine Pangolin
Manis culionensis
Philippine Pangolin
The Philippine pangolin, also known as the Palawan pangolin, is endemic (native) to the Philippines.
It is the only pangolin in the Philippines and is classed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Hunting and poaching threaten Philippine pangolin populations, along with habitat loss.
Key Philippine Pangolin Facts
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
SIZE
130cm in length
WEIGHT
4-7 kg
DIET
Carnivorous/insectivorous (feeding on ants and termites)
HABITAT
Forested areas and grasslands
RANGE
Endemic to the Province of Palawan, Philippines
POPULATION
Unknown, declining
THREATS
Hunting, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss
Did you know?!
It was only in 2005 that Philippine pangolins were recognised as a distinct species. They were previously thought to be Sunda pangolins.
How to recognise a Philippine pangolin
Physical characteristics
Pangolins are covered in scales across their body which are made of keratin, the same substance as our fingernails.
Like other Asian pangolins, the Philippine pangolin have hair growing between their scales. Compared with Sunda pangolins, Philippine pangolins have smaller scales, and a shorter body to tail length ratio.
Unique traits
Pangolins are the only mammals covered in overlapping scales. These scales act as a form of armour and help protect pangolins from predators. Philippine pangolins have the most rows of scales across their back of all the Asian pangolins.
Philippine Pangolin (c) Dexter Alvarado, Katala Foundation, flickr creative commons
Where do Philippine pangolins live?
Philippine pangolins are endemic to the Philippines. This means that they only live in the Philippines where they are found in the Province of Palawan. They have been recorded on mainland Palawan, the Calamian Islands and several other nearby smaller islands.
Philippine pangolins have the smallest range of all eight pangolin species.
Philippine pangolin habitat is mainly primary and secondary lowland forest, but they can also use a diverse range of habitats, such as grasslands, forest mosaics, coastal areas, and agricultural ecosystems.
What do Philippine pangolins eat?
Philippine pangolins are myrmecophagous, which means they eat almost exclusively ants and termites. Pangolins use their long sticky tongues to extract insects from nests and mounds.
Philippine Pangolin Behaviour & Reproduction
Behaviour
Philippine pangolins are primarily nocturnal animals, that forage for food at night. Their activity pattern may be influenced by the lunar cycle, with one study finding that they were more active at dusk and early morning when the moon was bright while during the new moon period, a pangolin was active earlier in the day.
They are semi-arboreal (tree-living) and can rest during the day in burrows in the ground, in between large rocks or in tree hollows. Pangolins roll into a ball when threatened, using their scales as a shield.
Reproduction
Little is known about Philippine pangolin reproductive behaviour. It is thought they are likely to be similar to Sunda pangolins and give birth to one offspring after a gestation period of around 6 months.
Females reach maturity in their first year.
Are Philippine pangolins endangered?
Yes, Philippine pangolins are considered ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN. The exact population of Philippine 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 Indian 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 Indian pangolins are endangered – please use the drop-down menus below to find out more about the biggest threats to their population.
Hunting and the illegal trade in pangolin scales and body parts is the main threat to Philippine pangolin populations. They have been hunted historically at a local level for meat and traditional uses and in the 1970s-1990s they were heavily hunted for international trade.
This continues today but the full extent of the national and international trade in Philippine pangolins is unknown. Despite national legislation, Asian pangolins are still hunted for the illegal international wildlife trade.
Deforestation for agriculture, mining and infrastructure development has significantly impacted Philippine pangolin natural habitats. Mining is an increasingly growing threat to the forests in Palawan.
Pangolins are hunted locally for subsistence or a variety of medicinal and traditional uses but there is limited research into the frequency of hunting, and how this influences Philippine pangolin populations.
What is Born Free doing to help Philippine pangolins?
There is still so much to discover about Philippine pangolins, and this is one of the reasons it is so important to protect them, and their habitats. Find out more below...
Increased enforcement of wildlife protection laws
Born Free helped co-found the Global Initiative to #EndWildlifeCrime which calls for a UN agreement to tackle wildlife trafficking. Born Free’s policy team attend global meetings and lobby decision-makers to speak up for pangolins.
Habitat protection
Philippine Pangolins live in a number of protected areas and ensuring these areas remain safe havens is vital to protecting populations. Further research is needed to better understand Philippine pangolin population levels, their behaviour and reproduction.
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.