World Pangolin Day

World Pangolin Day brings together pangolin aficionados to raise awareness about these fascinating animals – and their situation. Pangolin populations in Asia and Africa are declining rapidly due to the high demand for use in traditional remedies.

Sadly, the Pangolin is one of the most trafficked animals in the world.

I have been fortunate to see 2 African Pangolins in 25 years.  Lucky because many guides have not seen them.  These solitary, mainly nocturnal animals, are easily recognised by their full armour of scales.

The word Pangolin is Malay word, coming from ‘penggulung,’ which means ‘roller’. Pangolins are the only mammal fully covered in scales. These scales are used to protect themselves from predators in the wild. When startled, a pangolin will cover its head with its front legs, exposing its scales to any potential predator. If touched or grabbed pangolins roll up into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out.

Pangolins eat ants, termites and larvae and are often known as “the scaly anteater.” Because they have no teeth, pangolins use their sticky tongues to pick up their food.

THERE ARE EIGHT SPECIES OF PANGOLIN

Four species of pangolin can be found in Africa, and four in Asia.

The four species that live in Africa are:

  1. Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla)
  2. White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis)
  3. Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea)
  4. Temminck’s Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)

The four species that live in Asia are:

  1. Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)
  2. Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis)
  3. Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica)
  4. Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)