SCIENTIFIC NAME
Phataginus tricuspis
White-Bellied Pangolin
Phataginus tricuspis
White-Bellied Pangolin (Tree Pangolin)
The white-bellied pangolin, sometimes known as the tree pangolin, lives in West and Central Africa.
White-bellied pangolins are considered ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN, with populations declining and under considerable threat from the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and poaching. They are the African species found most frequently in illegal trade and in African bushmeat markets.
Key White-Bellied Pangolin Facts
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
SIZE
Around 1m long, including their tail
WEIGHT
Weight 1-3 kg, making them the lightest pangolin species
DIET
Insectivorous (primarily eating ants and termites)
HABITAT
Moist tropical lowland forests, secondary growth, bush, and agricultural areas
RANGE
West and Central Africa, from Guinea-Bissau to Kenya
POPULATION
Unknown, but population is decreasing
THREATS
Illegal wildlife trade, poaching, habitat degradation
Did you know?!
White-bellied pangolins can swim! They use a ‘doggy-style’ paddle to move through the water.
How to recognise a white-bellied pangolin
Physical characteristics
Pangolins are unique among mammals as they are covered in overlapping scales. Like other pangolin species, white-bellied pangolins have cone shaped heads and long tongues.
Compared to the other two African pangolin species (giant ground pangolin and Temminck’s pangolin) white-bellied and black-bellied pangolins have larger eyes, sensitive tail pads which assist with climbing and hairs on their lower forelimbs as opposed to scales.
White-bellied pangolins are often confused with black-bellied pangolins as they are both tree dwelling species. However, the white-bellied pangolin has a notably shorter tail compared to their black-bellied relative and is the most frequently encountered forest pangolin in Africa. As you could expect from their name, white-bellied pangolins have pale whitish-grey skin, which is visible on their belly.
Unique traits
White-bellied pangolins are the most frequently encountered forest species in Africa. They are often found in trees but are also comfortable on the ground.
A white-bellied pangolin (c) Sangha Pangolin Project
Where do white-bellied pangolins live?
White-bellied pangolins are found across West and Central Africa in 23 countries. They live in moist tropical lowland forests and where there is secondary growth (areas of regeneration after an area has been deforested, usually as a result of human activities).
White-bellied pangolins are thought to be able to adapt to some degree of habitat modification and have been found living in little-used or abandoned oil palm plantations. Despite being found in different forest habitats, researchers are unsure whether white-bellied pangolins can breed in altered habitats. In southern Nigeria, white-bellied pangolin habitat included primary and secondary rainforest, farmlands and bush areas.
White-bellied pangolins are present in the Dja Faunal Reserve, where our Guardians of Dja programme works with communities to help reduce dependency on natural resources and protect the forests where pangolins live.
What do white-bellied pangolins eat?
White-bellied pangolins eat exclusively ants and termites, using their long and sticky tongues to catch their prey through a ‘protrude and withdraw’ motion. Their tongues are extremely long (30cm!) and extend to their abdomen.
Pangolins don’t have any teeth and have strong, muscular stomachs which help grind up their food. White-bellied pangolins have poor vision but excellent olfactory senses which help them detect ants and termites.
A white-bellied pangolin (c) Maja Gudehus, Sangha Pangolin Project
White-Bellied Pangolin Behaviour & Reproduction
Behaviour
White-bellied pangolins are solitary, nocturnal and semi-arboreal, meaning that they spend time both in trees and on the ground. During the day, they often shelter in tree hollows. They are excellent climbers and use their prehensile tails as a fifth limb, for balance and gripping branches.
When threatened, white-bellied pangolins will either climb into a tree or curl into a tight ball. Although their scales act as a form of armour, a white-bellied pangolin’s scales are not as thick as other pangolin species and are unable to protect them against predators such as leopards.
Reproduction
Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of about 150 days. When they are born, infants are pink and hairless, except for a ring of hair around their eyes. After around three weeks, hair begins to grow. When the mother and infant are sleeping, the mother will curl around her young to protect them.
Once infants are big enough, young pangolins cling to their mother’s tail as they move through the trees. In Gabon, some females were found to rarely not be pregnant – they were ready to mate again soon after giving birth.
Are white-bellied pangolins endangered?
Yes, White-bellied pangolins are considered ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN. The exact population of white-bellied 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 white-bellied 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 white-bellied pangolins are endangered – please use the drop-down menus below to find out more about the biggest threats to their population.
Across Africa, white-bellied pangolins are the most common of the four African species found in bushmeat markets. They are threatened by widespread and often intensive exploitation for traditional medicine and bushmeat.
This species is increasingly being hunted in protected areas due to its rarity outside protected areas in many regions. The number of pangolins hunted and sold for cultural practices and traditional medicine is unsustainable.
The international trade in white-bellied pangolins, particularly for Asian markets, is a significant threat to the species.
Following population declines in Asian pangolin species, post 2000, there has been an increase in the trade of African pangolins, with white-bellied pangolins the most commonly encountered species in international trade. Large shipments of pangolin scales regularly make their way from Africa to Asia.
In some areas of white-bellied pangolin range, habitat loss has been extremely high as a result of deforestation, agricultural expansion, growing human populations and urban development and monoculture plantations. This has led to significant habitat reduction in some areas.
Historically, habitat loss was the key threat faced by white-bellied pangolins; however, the unsustainable and intensive hunting and trade of this species could now be a larger threat.
What is Born Free doing to help white-bellied pangolins?
There is still so much to discover about white-bellied pangolins, and this is one of the reasons it is so important to protect them, and their habitats. Find out more below...
Protected areas and wildlife reserves in West and Central Africa
Although protected areas should be a refuge for wildlife, white-bellied pangolins are increasingly being hunted inside protected areas. Authorities need further training in how best to protect white-bellied pangolins inside protected areas.
International ban on pangolin trade
All pangolin species are protected under Appendix 1 in the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning there is effectively a total ban on the international commercial trade of wild-caught pangolins and their parts. Despite this, many pangolins are still traded illegally, and work is needed to stop the international trade. Across white-bellied pangolin’s range, more work is needed to enforce legislation and reduce international trade through training and awareness raising, particularly for customs agents.
Community awareness programs to reduce hunting pressure
Born Free’s Guardians of Dja programme works with local communities around the Dja Faunal Reserve where white-bellied pangolins live to limit bushmeat consumption, support forest patrols and reduce dependence on forest resources. Through our sensitisation and outreach work, villagers say they are now unlikely to hunt pangolins, while they previously had. We are proud to work in areas where white-bellied pangolins are present and help protect this species.
Rescuing and rehabilitating pangolins
We support the wonderful work of our friends at Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, one of Malawi’s leading wildlife charities. The team at Lilongwe are devoted to the rescue of injured, orphaned and confiscated pangolins. Each one is rehabilitated, prepared for release, then monitored once back in the wild – where they belong.
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.
Images (c) Sangha Pangolin Project