Day 385#: Black-Bellied Pangolin
Today's animal of the day is the Black-Bellied Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla)!
Photo credit: Tessa Ullmann
Also known as the long-tailed pangolin or ipi, this bizarre species of mammal can be found in the tropical forests and swamps of western and central Africa and is unique because it is one of only ten species of living mammals to possess scales. These scales are made of keratin, the same stuff that human hair and fingernails are made out of, and help to protect the pangolin from predators. When threatened, the pangolin will roll up into a tight ball, which both shields its vulnerable underbellies but also exposes the sharp edges of its scales. In addition to this defense, the coloration of its scales, combined with the black fur on its belly, helps to camouflage the pangolin as it maneuvers through the forest canopy.
Photo credit: Rod Cassidy
Unlike the nine other species of pangolins, black-bellied pangolins are most active during the day. This is believed to help reduce competition with their sister species, the white-bellied/tree pangolin, which has a very similar lifestyle but is more active at night. These pangolins spend most of their lives in the trees and are capable of using their long, prehensile tails to hold onto tree branches. Their tails are even strong enough for the pangolin to dangle down from a tree branch with just its tail! Their sharp front claws also help them to climb, but are also used to dig into tree bark to seek out burrowing ants and termites, which they then slurp up using their long tongues.
Photo credit: Rod Cassidy
Sadly, while the pangolin's scales might protect it from predators like leopards and pythons, they have become a hot commodity in certain Asian markets. They are believed to have certain healing properties, which is untrue, but are also considered a delicacy. While the African species of pangolins aren't as heavily targeted compared to the Asian species, poaching combined with habitat loss has caused the IUCN to label the black-bellied pangolin as vulnerable. To make matters worse, because these animals are so shy and sensitive, it is virtually impossible to keep them in zoos.
Photo credit: Sean Brogan
For those wondering, the nine other species of scaly mammals are the other species of pangolins. Most sources will tell you that there are only eight species, but recently genetic testing of pangolins and pangolin scales confiscated by poachers has revealed two new, previously unknown species of pangolins! The cryptic pangolin (Manis mysteria), which has yet to ever be seen alive (other than by the poachers who killed it for its scales), and the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis aurita), which was thought to be the same species as the Chinese pangolin until just last year. Btw I covered the Chinese pangolin all the way back on day 7#, if you wanted to check it out.
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