There are four Asian pangolins species:
- Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) – Critically Endangered
- Malayan/Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) – Critically Endangered
- Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) – Endangered
- Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis) – Endangered
Pangolins typically weigh between 1.6kg – 33kg.
Pangolins’ scales range from light brown through olive to dark brown in colour.
Pangolins can be found in various types of habitats such as tropical forests, thick bushes and shrubs as well as savannah grassland. They are generally located in areas where large amounts of ant and/or termites are found as these are their main sources of food. Pangolins are nocturnal and solitary animals and tend to only emerge in the night to look for insects to eat. Pangolins are insectivorous but their diet consist mainly of ants and termites which can be supplemented by other types of insects, especially insect larvae.
Pangolins do not possess good vision and they depend heavily on their sense of smell to locate ant hills and termite nests. When they have located a source of ants or termites, they would use their large front claws to tear open the nest to expose the ant nest. At this point, the pangolin would use their long, sticky tongue to prod inside and obtain the ants. Special glands produce the sticky saliva used to lubricate the long tongues of the pangolins in order for it to be effective and efficient in capturing ants. A pangolin’s tongue is longer than the length of its entire body.
Pangolins do not have teeth and are unable to chew. While foraging and searching for food, pangolins swallow small stones which accumulate in their stomach. Pangolin’s stomach is muscular which is lined with keratinous spines which together with the tiny stones accumulated in the stomach are used to grind and crush the ants. The pangolins’ anatomy and body structure is very adept for digging which can easily tear apart termite mounds and ant nests.
The most noticeable trait that pangolins possess is the ‘armour’ of scales they have. They are made from keratin, which is the same protein that is found in human hair and finger nails. The underside of pangolins is covered with little fur and has no scales to protect it. These tough scales act as a form of defense when the pangolin rolls up quickly into a ball while protecting their vulnerable underside at the same time. This form of defense is able to put off even the most fearsome of predators.
Pangolins also put off predators by hissing and puffing at them while lashing their sharp edged tails. Pangolins have the ability to produce an unpleasant smelling chemical from glands near its anus, comparable to that of the skunk. Pangolins are territorial animals and they identify their territories through scent marking typically with urine and by dispersing of their faeces. Experts believe that these odours also help pangolins establish dominance and announce their sexual status.
Asiatic pangolins typically give birth to a single offspring although two or three young are not uncommon. Gestation period for pangolins is between 120 to 150 days. Pangolins weigh about 12 ounces upon birth and are about 6 inches long. At this point in time, their scales are still soft and pale in colour. However, these scales will begin to harden by the next day. Female pangolins will continue to nurture the offspring in nesting burrows. When threatened, they will roll around the young in order to protect them. The young will nurse for 3 to 4 months as it tags along with the mother. By the 1st month, the young pangolin will be able to consume ants and termites. Baby pangolins ride on the base of their mother’s tail when they accompany them out of the nesting burrow.