pangolin's skull

Pangolin skulls have an elongated snout. This is a tell-tale sign of an animal whose mouth must support a 25cm-long tongue. This long tongue is utilized to probe into Ant and termite burrows to extract these insects for consumption. This diet of soft insects explains the Pangolins total lack of teeth as well as their poorly developed attachments for chewing muscles.

Did You Know?

>A pangolin walks a few miles each night, but tends to use the same burrow for many months.

>As pangolins have no teeth, the gizzardlike stomach is specially adapted for grinding food. The process is helped along by the small stones and sand pangolins consume.

>The pangolin's scales are made up of the same protein that makes up human hair.

predators and threats

Man takes his toll on the pangolin, which is thought to be a purveyor of magic and charms. When mixed with bark from certain trees, the scales are thought to neutralize witchcraft and evil spirits. If buried near a man's door, they are said to give an interested woman power over him. Sometimes the scales are burned to keep lions and other wild animals away. In some areas pangolins are sacrificed for rainmaking ceremonies, and in others they are hunted for meat.

scaly anteater

Also called scaly anteater. A mammal with short legs covered in brownish red overlapping scales making it look like a pinecone on legs. Only the underside lacks scales. It has a long scaled tail and 5 long curved claws on each foot. In case of danger, it rolls up like a ball, only exposing hard scales. Its head is small and pointed with very small eyes, and it has a long sticky tongue for catching his diet of ants and termites, tracked down at night by smell. The pangolin is home in Asia's and Africa's forests and savannahs. Young pangolins are taxied around on the tail of their mother. Back in Eocene, pangolins also inhabited Europe. Now, several of the 8 species are endangered