ANIMAL FOCUS
Pangolins 🛡️
Pangolins live in tropical parts of Africa and Asia. Their name comes from a Malay word that means “roller” because they roll into a ball when threatened. Here are some fun facts about them:
They are the only mammals covered in scales! Their scales are made of keratin, the same material as your hair and fingernails. Just like fingernails, their scales keep growing throughout their lives! 🛡️
Their tongue can be longer than their body! A pangolin’s tongue starts deep inside its chest, near its last ribs. There are 8 species of pangolins, and some have tongues that can grow up to 16 inches long! 👅
One pangolin can eat up to 70 million ants and termites each year! Pangolins swallow insects whole because they don’t have teeth. Instead, they use small stones in their stomachs to help grind up food. One pangolin can help protect up to 40 acres of land from pests! 🐜
They curl into a ball and can even spray like skunks! When threatened, a pangolin rolls into a tight armored ball that predators can’t easily attack. Some species can also spray a bad-smelling chemical from glands near their tail, much like a skunk. 🦨
They are more closely related to cats and dogs than to armadillos or anteaters! Pangolins are so unique that they belong to their own group of mammals called Pholidota. 🐱
Some pangolins are excellent climbers! They use their tails almost like a fifth leg to climb trees while searching for food or safe places to rest. 🌴
Some pangolins can swim! Even though their scales can make up about 20% of their body weight, some pangolins are strong enough swimmers to cross rivers. Some use their tails to help steer, while others paddle with their legs. 🤿
They can completely close their nose and ears! When digging into ant and termite nests, they have special muscles to shut their nostrils and ears to keep insects from getting inside! 👃
They have an amazing sense of smell! Pangolins do not see very well, but they use their powerful noses to find hidden ant and termite colonies! They can even tell the difference between certain types of insects. 🕶️
Some pangolins can grow up to 4.5 feet long and weigh 75 pounds! Their size depends on the species, but most weigh less than 15 pounds. They can live up to 20 years! ⚖️