The pangolin is sometimes referred to as the “scaly anteater”. Some people also call it the leg bump or the tail artichoke. No matter how you describe it, this lizard is a strange creature!
Although some people think it is a reptile, the pangolin is a mammal. In fact, it is the only mammal which is covered in scales. The scales are made up of keratin, which is the same protein that makes up human hair and nails.
The pangolin’s scales form a barrier that helps it protect itself from predators in the wild. When threatened, the lizard curls up into a tight ball to protect itself. This action gives pangolins their name, which comes from the Malay word (penggulung) for “roller”. They can also use the sharp scales on their tails to deter attackers.
Pangolins range in size from as small as a cat to as large as a large armadillo. They tend to be solitary, nocturnal animals that live in burrows and use long, sticky tongues to feed on ants and termites.
There are eight species of pangolin, four each in Africa (black-bellied, white-bellied, giant earth and Temmink earth), as well as in Asia (Indian, Filipino, Sundian and Chinese pangolins).
Unfortunately, pangolins are becoming more and more famous today because they are now considered the most illegal trade item in the world. They are especially popular in Asian countries such as China and Vietnam.
Their meat is considered a delicacy, and their shells are used in a wide variety of folk potions and medicines. Although they are now protected by international law, all eight lizard species are either rare or endangered.
