Pangolins

Pangolins are weird and wonderful creatures covered with protective horny, overlapping scales.


Pangolins are not related to armadillos.
When threatened, pangolins roll into a ball.

Pangolins are sometimes called scaly anteaters.
The Southern African pangolin can be found in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and also in the northern regions of South Africa, where there is no frost and a lot of ants to eat.
Pangolins spend most of their time in abandoned warthog burrows and are nocturnal – only coming out at night.
A pangolin’s eye sight is very poor and they rely on their sense of smell.


Their diet consists mainly of ants and termites.


As they do not have teeth, pangolins use their extremely long tongue to feed. The tongue is covered in a sticky mucous to help them capture their prey.


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Snap - put this on a while back after I read my birthday Tenrec book -- beautiful creature x

They are lovely x

I want one!

I love these, they are so cute

They're not classed as a reptile though are they? I thought they were a mammal...

xoxox

this is actually quite cute xx

Are they not Mel ? well you learn something everyday x

It kinda reminds me of a dragon body just missing the wings

I'm sure they aren't...

Hang on a mo.... you have me wondering now

xoxox

Although it kind of looks like a scaly reptile, the pangolin is indeed a mammal. There are eight different species of pangolins found in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia. The most common species of pangolin are the giant pangolin (most threatened), the tree pangolin and the most widespread, the ground pangolin.

Pangolins are toothless and have no external ears, though their hearing is reportedly very good. Since they have no teeth, they have a gizzard like stomach and swallow small stones and sand to help with the digestive process. Pangolins have very long tongues - up to 16 inches in length - which they use to slurp up their favorite foods - termites and ants. In a resting position the tongue is coiled back into a sheath that retracts into the chest cavity. Large salivary glands coat the long tongue with a gummy mucus to which ants and termites stick.

They have a good sense of smell and a poor sense of sight. Their scales, made out of keratin, (same material that makes up human fingernails) make up 20% of their total body weight. These scales are used for defense. If threatened, the pangolin will roll itself up into a tight ball which is very difficult to unroll. The scales are razor sharp and combined with powerful muscles can inflict serious wounds. As a last defensive resort, pangolins also have anal scent glands that emit strong, foul smelling secretions, reminiscent of the skunk.

Pangolins are nocturnal. Tree dwelling pangolins live in hollow trees, whereas the ground dwelling species dig tunnels underground, up to a depth of 11 feet (3.5 m) They are also very good swimmers.

Man takes his toll on the pangolin, which is in high demand in China as a delicacy. some Chinese believe pangolin scales reduce swelling, promote blood circulation and help breast-feeding women produce milk. Because of this, illegal trafficking has caused the pangolin population to suffer. In Africa, pangolins have traditionally been thought of as purveyors of magic and charms. When mixed with bark from certain trees, the scales are said to neutralize witchcraft and evil spirits. If buried near a man's door, they are said to give an interested woman power over him. Sometimes the scales are burned to keep lions and other wild animals away. In some areas pangolins are sacrificed for rainmaking ceremonies, and in others they are simply hunted for meat.


xoxox

There's some lovely pictures of them but as usual I haven't a clue on putting photies up... I haven't got time to figure it out as I'm in work, but there is a lovely on of a baby and also a mother Pangolin carrying her baby on her back

xoxox

I would love one too, I love their darling little faces.

Hugs

JO xx