Pangolin

Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota. They have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin. Depending on the species, they live in hollow trees or burrows. Pangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites, which they capture using their long tongues.

These animals tend to be solitary, meeting only to mate and produce a litter of one to three offspring, which they raise for about two years. Unfortunately, pangolins are threatened by poaching for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional medicine, as well as deforestation of their natural habitats. They are also the most trafficked mammals in the world. As of January 2020, eight species of pangolin have conservation statuses ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Etymology

The name Pholidota comes from Ancient Greek, meaning "clad in scales." The word pangolin originates from the Malay language, where it means "one who rolls up." This name was originally used for the Sunda pangolin. Different cultures have their own names for pangolins, reflecting their unique appearances and behaviors.

Description

Pangolins look quite unusual with their large, hardened, plate-like scales that overlap like a pine cone. These scales are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails and claws, and they are not like the scales of reptiles. When threatened, a pangolin can curl up into a ball, using its scales as armor and protecting its face by tucking it under its tail.

These animals have short legs with sharp claws, which they use for digging into ant and termite mounds and for climbing. Pangolins can also release a smelly chemical from glands near their bottom to defend themselves, much like a skunk. Their tongues are very long, extending up to 40 centimeters, and they use them to eat ants and termites.

Behaviour

Most pangolins are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night. They use their strong sense of smell to find insects to eat. Some pangolins, like the long-tailed pangolin, are also active during the day, while others sleep during the daytime, curling up into a ball.

Pangolins that live in trees stay in hollow parts of trees, while those that live on the ground dig tunnels deep into the earth. They can walk on two legs sometimes and are also good swimmers. Their diet mainly consists of ants and termites, which they find using their powerful claws and long tongues. Since they don’t have teeth, they swallow small stones to help break down their food in their stomachs.

Classification and phylogeny

Further information: List of pholidotans

Pangolins belong to a group of animals called pholidotans. They are part of a family named Manidae, which includes three groups called genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia. The genus Manis has five species that live in Asia. The other two genera, Phataginus and Smutsia, each have two species, and they are found in sub-Saharan Africa. These special animals are also known as scaly anteaters.

Summary of extant species

Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, are special mammals known as the order Pholidota. They belong to one family called Manidae, which has three groups: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia. The group Manis includes five species living in Asia, while Phataginus and Smutsia each have two species living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pangolins from Asia and Africa split from each other about 41 million years ago. Asian pangolins are in the group Manis, and African pangolins are split into two groups: Smutsia, which are larger and live on the ground, and Phataginus, which are smaller and live in trees. These animals are unique because of their scales and diet of ants and termites.

See also: Pholidotamorpha

Common name	Binomial name	Population	Status	Trend	Image
Cryptic pangolin	Manis mysteria	unknown	NE
Philippine pangolin	Manis culionensis	unknown	CR
Sunda pangolin	Manis javanica	unknown	CR
Chinese pangolin	Manis pentadactyla	45,000-120,000	CR
Indian pangolin	Manis crassicaudata	unknown	EN
White-bellied pangolin	Phataginus tricuspis	unknown	EN
Giant ground pangolin (Giant pangolin)	Smutsia gigantea	unknown	EN
Black-bellied pangolin (Long-tailed pangolin)	Phataginus tetradactyla	unknown	VU
Temminck's ground pangolin (Ground pangolin)	Smutsia temminckii	unknown	VU

Threats

Pangolins face serious threats because their scales are believed to have medicinal properties in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine, and their meat is considered a delicacy. This has led to over one million pangolins being trafficked over the past decade, making them the most trafficked animal in the world.

All eight species of pangolin are threatened, with three classified as critically endangered. Despite international laws against their trade, pangolins continue to be hunted for meat and traditional medicine, leading to large decreases in their populations.

Virology

See also: Origin of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers found that a part of the virus that causes COVID-19 matches very closely with a similar part in viruses found in pangolins. This led some to think pangolins might have helped spread the virus, especially because pangolins were sometimes caught and used in traditional medicine. However, later studies showed this was not likely true, and pangolins were not the source of COVID-19.

Scientists have also discovered other types of viruses in pangolins, including ones called pestiviruses and coltiviruses. These were found in pangolins that had passed away. Even healthy pangolins can carry many different viruses without getting sick.

Folk medicine

Pangolin scales and flesh have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. Even though there is no scientific proof that these practices work, they are still popular and contribute to the illegal trade of pangolin parts.

Historically, pangolin scales were first mentioned in ancient Chinese texts around 500 CE. They were thought to protect against ant bites and even cure certain ailments. Over time, beliefs about their uses grew, including helping women produce more milk and treating various health issues. Sadly, these beliefs continue to drive the hunting and trading of pangolins, even though their scales were removed from official medicine lists in 2020. Similar uses of pangolin parts exist in other Asian countries, where locals believe they can prevent illnesses like pneumonia.

Conservation

Pangolins face serious threats because of illegal trade in their skin, scales, and meat. By January 2020, all eight pangolin species were listed as threatened by the Red List of Threatened Species. A global action plan called "Scaling up Pangolin Conservation" was started in 2014 to help protect them, focusing on stopping poaching and trafficking.

Efforts to breed pangolins in captivity have had limited success due to their special needs. In Taiwan, strong laws and special wildlife centers have helped protect pangolins and increase their numbers. These centers work with local communities and police to prevent illegal activities and support pangolin conservation.