Large middle aged adult by Tikki Hywood Trust Poachers and syndicates are poaching at an unprecedented rate. Coupled with the growing trade between Asia and Africa it is feared that the focus has shifted to the African continent. This has resulted in the decimation of the Asian population. In addition to this, both baby pangolin and adult meat are considered a delicacy and are thought to convey excellent health benefits.ĭemand for these creatures has burgeoned in Asia. There is a widespread belief in Asia that the scales can cure a huge gamut of illnesses. While the hard scales are a perfect defense against most natural predators it also makes them a target for the international trade in animal parts. Because of their highly specialized diet, pangolins do not do well in captivity and easily become malnourished, dehydrated, and distressed.īambanani Tongue by Tikki Hywood Trust The pangolin poaching problem In addition to these adaptations, pangolins are able to seal off their ears and nostrils when eating to prevent attack from their angry dinner. Newborn baby pangolin by Tikki Hywood Trustįunnily, pangolins do not have teeth but ‘chew’ instead with stones found in their digestive tracts. Its thought that a single pangolin can consume up to 70 million insects annually. They have powerful claws that they use to burrow into anthills to get to their favorite food, ants, and termites. For a start, their soft sticky tongues can be longer than their bodies. There are some pretty amazing facts about pangolins. Pangolin trap minder by Tikki Hywood Trust Amazing pangolin animal facts Sadly this also makes them a soft target for poachers who need only scoop them up and place them into a sack to be further trafficked. Also known as the scaly ant-eater, pangolins roll into a tight ball when threatened. The name pangolin comes from the Malay word “pengguling” which, loosely translated, means something rolled up. Pangolin ball by Tikki Hywood Trust What does the pangolin animal's name mean? A fact well documented by anthropologist Mary Douglas in her now famous book Purity and Danger (1966, Chapter 10 deals with the Pangolin Cult). This in-betweenness makes it a spiritually powerful being. In the Congo, the Lele people consider it to be part fish (the scales) and part human because it only gives birth to a single offspring. It is prized not only for its scarcity but also for its scales and reportedly succulent meat, fit only for kings. In fact, sightings of the pangolin are so rare that it is traditionally considered to be a royal animal. Though widespread and found in National Parks from Virunga in the Congo to Kruger In South Africa, you are more likely to see the Big 5 before you get to see a pangolin. Pangolin baby by Tikki Hywood Trust Where are pangolins found? All eight species of pangolin are listed as endangered or vulnerable on the IUCN red list. In Africa, the four species found south of the Sahara are the Temminck’s ground pangolin, Tree pangolin, Giant pangolin, and Long-tailed pangolin. Four of them, The Indian pangolin, Formosan pangolin, Sunda pangolin and Palawan pangolin are found in Asia and are different because they have tiny bristles between their scales. There are only eight species of this scaled and mystical creature. Most people do not realize that the pangolin animal species could be gone before we realize it was even there.Īdult Pangolin by Tikki Hywood Trust How many pangolin species are there? Most people will never see a pangolin in the wild. It is the only mammal covered completely with scales instead of fur.
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