Reproduction

The newborn pangolin's scales are still pale and soft

Pangolins reach sexual maturity at about 2 years old. They give birth to one, occasionally two young at a time. The gestation period lasts for approximately 139 days, but differs within species. Newborn pangolins are nursed by their mothers in nesting burrows. They have soft and pale scales that quickly begin to harden by the second day. When under stress, a juvenile pangolin will hide underneath its mother, who curls up protectively round her baby.

A baby pangolin hitching a ride

A young pangolin will begin to accompany its mother outside the burrow at about a month old. By clamping its front claws firmly under the scales of the adult’s flank, a baby pangolin is able to hitch a ride on the base of its mother’s tail as she forages for food. Such behavior is thought to allow the mother and young to stay close together for suckling, and this will continue until the juvenile is about 1 year old.