PANGOLINS...
Peculiar, Scaly, Warm-blooded Creatures

I had never heard of these odd mammals before reading Sudesna's poem "How Nanigopal became "A Pangolin." They're SO unique - the only mammal with scales - as to be classified in a genus of their own with just 7 species. Indigenous to SE Asia, pangolins are found in the foothills and plains of India, ranging west to Nepal, Assam, the eastern Himalaya, Burma and China, south into Malaya as well as on the African continent

Pangolin curled in a defensive ball. Scale edges are sharp! Photo source: "Roll Up Tour"

The word "pangolin," French in origin, refers to the animal's habit of curling into a ball for protection. A shy, slow, burrowing mammal, they feed mainly on ants or termites depending on the season. The scaly ant eater has both hair and scales, an unusual combination for mammals.

Searching for ants & termites in a tree stump. Photo source: A Russian website

In a constant quest for ant and termite nests, pangolins range over the ground and into jungle canopy trees up to 20ft high. Burrowing quickly into the ground by means of heavily clawed forefeet, they can make a chamber about eight feet deep in 3-5 minutes. After the burrow is made, the entrance is blocked. Or they may occupy burrows of other animals. 

Depending on the species and age, the scaly ant eater measures between 12–39in long (30–100cm), exclusive of the prehensile tail, which can be twice as long as the body. It has a small pointed head, small eyes and ears, narrow mouth with a fine set muzzle and a fleshy nose. The astonishing tube-shape pink tongue is so long and strong its muscles are anchored to the pelvis bone!

Photo source: "Roll Up Tour"

The head integrates smoothly into a short neck merging directly into its roundish body. Short legs are tipped with sharp claws; its forefeet are longer and stronger than the hind feet. With few natural predators, except for occasional tigers & lions, overlapping scales offer these gentle animals protection from danger.

Females as a rule are smaller than males. A female gives birth during April and May, after a gestation of 5 months, usually to one young. Baby pangolins measure 18 inches (45 cm), weigh about 1 lb. and are able to walk soon after birth. At birth, their scales are soft and flexible, but harden within two days. The young are carried on the mother's tail or back where they hang limply onto its base.

Chinese pangolin with young one riding on her tail. Endearing odd creatures! Photo source: Endangered species info website.

A threatened mother will fold her tail and keep her young under her body. Male pangolins have strong parental instincts and share the burrow with females and young ones.

Unfortunately, man is a notorious predator making pangolins an endangered species. Pangolin meat, body parts, and especially their scales are highly sought after as traditional native medicine. Several rescue organizations protect and rehabilitate poaching victims or orphans such as this nursing infant. If you are interested in contributing to any of these organizations, check the links at the end of the article.

Vulnerable orphaned baby being bottle-fed by a kind rescuer. Note its furry neck & tummy, and the strong claws.

Copyright 2003, Chipkali Creations & Stanley E. Brush