PANGOLINS

FAMILY: MANIDAE

Pangolins are the only mammals known to have plate-like scales; when threatened, they roll up into a ball, with the scales forming an armoured exterior. The scales are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails, which hardens as the pangolins reach maturity.

Similar to skunks, pangolins can secrete a foul smelling odour from the glands near their anus, which they use to mark their territory as a deterrent. Pangolins are nocturnal and have poor eyesight, relying on their hearing and sense of smell to locate their prey at night. Long, powerful, curved claws tear open anthills or termite mounds, and with no teeth, they use a sticky elongated tongue to retrieve insects. 

Tending to be solitary animals, pangolins meet only to mate. The gestation period depends on the species, but they all give birth to a single offspring. The young pangolin stays with its mother for around three to four months and grips onto its mother’s tail while foraging for insects. 

*International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world’s main authority on the conservation status of species.