AoTW: The Probable Plight of the Pangolin

This is the last backdated post I am going to do and it is from even further back than the last entry. This was a post that I meant to do on February 15th to coincide with World Pangolin Day but other things got in the way. I find the pangolin to be a most fascinating mammal so they are going to be my animal of the week anyway, as their plight is something that people should know about. There are 8 species of pangolin in total but this entry will focus predominately on 2 of my favourite species.

The Pangolin

Pangolin's are burrowing mammals that eat predominantly ants and termites using a long, sticky tongue. They are covered in tough overlapping scales and can quickly roll up into a tight defensive ball when threatened earning them the name of "scaly anteaters". There are 8 different species that can be found across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss have made these animals one of the most endangered groups of mammals in existence today. Before we begin looking at some of the species, take a look at a nice little info graphic below which gives some neat facts about the pangolin, courtesy of World Pangolin Day.

The pangolin's scales.

All pangolin species have a series of protective, overlapping scales that cover most of their bodies. The scales are formed for Keratin, the same protein that forms hair and nails. They overlap like artichoke leaves and grow throughout the pangolin's life just as hair does. The growth of scales is maintained by the animals burrowing ecology. The underside of the pangolin is not covered in scales, instead it is covered in sparse hair.

Tongue! - Copyright: Platyoctopie

Pangolin's also have conical heads and jaws which lack teeth , although they have long, muscular and sticky tongues which are perfectly designed to reach and lap up ant and termites deep within their nests. The tongue is attached near the pelvis of the animal and when fully extended is longer than the animals head and body. When at rest the tongue is retracted into a sheath within its chest cavity. Its stomach is muscular and lined in keratinous spines projecting outwards. Along with small stones, the stomach mashes and grinds prey as a replacement for having no teeth.As a defense against frenzied insects whilst feeding, along with armoured skin the pangolin can also close its nostrils, has armoured eyelids and some species even have internal ears which can also be closed to protect against bites and stings.

The limbs of a pangolin are stout and perfectly adapted for digging. Each paw has 5 toes and forefeet have 3 long, curved claws which are the main weaponry used to rip open ant and termite mounds.

 

 

Giant Ground Pangolin

 

Copyright: Nigel J. Dennis

Biology

The largest of the 8 species & the sole, remaining representatives of the highly specialised mammalian order Pholidota. In appearance and ecological purpose & function is is very similar to all other species and has poor eyesight but an acute sense of smell and very good hearing, despite the lack of external ears. The giant pangolin can reach sizes of up to 1.8 meters and despite its size, it is an elusive nocturnal species that spends the daytime under plant debris or out of sight in its burrow. During the night it goes in search of ant/termite mounds, once located, the pangolin rests on its broad heavy tail and uses its powerful claws to rip open the mound, using its long tongue to probe the cracks and tunnels for the insects within. 

Although normally solitary, males and females occasionally live together in the same burrow with their offspring. Little is known about the breeding biology of this pangolin although we do know that females carry the embryo for around 140 days before giving birth to a single young. The young pangolin will stay with the mother for the next 3-4 months and will accompany her on foraging bouts, riding on the base of the tail. 

Range & Habitat

The giant ground pangolin has a discontinuous range through West & Central Africa from Senegal to Ghana & Cameroon to Kenya. They inhabit predominately tropical lowland forest and forested swamps. 

Threats & Conservation

The ground pangolin is hunted for bush meat and persecuted for use in traditional medicine. Furthermore, some believe that the pangolin serves old ritualistic beliefs such as their scales being able to generate rain, neutralise evil spirits and ward off lions. Although concrete data on populations is not available, current research suggests that the population is declining gradually, leaving it classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Although populations of this species are present in 'protected' areas on African countries there are currently no specific targeted conservation measures in place for this species.

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Chinese Pangolin

 

Copyright: Unknown

Biology

The Chinese pangolin is covered in brownish scales, except for the soft, off-white underside and much of the face. The scales are made from fused hair and contribute up to 25% of the pangolin's total weight. When in danger, like other pangolin species, it rolls up into a defensive ball, leaving only the scaly parts of its body visible. their head is disproportionate with the rest of their body; they have small eyes, but unlike other pangolin's they have external ears.

The Chinese pangolin lives a solitary life and although terrestrial, it is capable of climbing trees and is a good swimmer. They often move slowly on all fours, walking on its knuckles due to its 5cm long claws on its forelegs. They have been occasionally seen walking on its hind legs, holding the body upright and the forelegs in the air; a similar position to the one it adopts when attacking termite mounds. They spend their day asleep in excavated burrows and emerge early evening to begin looking for food.

In late summer, male pangolin's are observed fighting over the opportunity to mate with a female, resulting in the victor and female mating over a period of 3-5 days. They spend the winter in deep burrows situated next to an active termite nest to provide a constant food source. It is during this period that females give birth to a single offspring. which emerges in Spring.

Range and Habitat

Wide distribution, being present in a variety of provinces across China, south of the Yangtze river, as well as in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Northern India, Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh. It lives in a variety of habitats, including tropical, coniferous, evergreen and bamboo forests as well as grasslands.

Threats & Conservation

Due to its nocturnal and solitary nature, this pangolin is rarely observed, so little information exists on its status, however, the population is thought to be declining and IUCN lists it as endangered. It has been extensively hunted for meat as well as for skin, and scales which are used to scratch mosquito bites, due to their supposed antiseptic properties, or ground into a powder which is wrongly believed to cure skin diseases. Its terrestrial nature makes it easier to hunt, a factor which is the pangolin's biggest threat as disturbance of habitat has shown to not affect pangolin as long as their food supply is not disrupted.

The Chinese pangolin is legally protected in the majority of countries it inhabits, although large seizures of illegally caught pangolin's do occur, greater enforcement of laws and improved management of protected areas are required to prevent hunting.

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Pangolins are split into 2 main groups:

The Asian pangolins include:

• Indian or thick-tailed pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) – Conservation status Near Threatened
• Chinese or Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) – Endangered
• Malayan or Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) – Endangered
• Palawan or Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis) – Near Threatened

The African pangolins include:

• Cape or Temminck’s ground pangolin (Manis temminckii)
• Tree or African white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) – Near Threatened
• Giant ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) – Near Threatened
• Long-tailed or black-bellied pangolin (Uromanis tetradactyla)

For more information on pangolin's check out the Save Pangolin's Website

http://savepangolins.org/what-is-a-pangolin/

Birdman.

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