Pangolin

Kingdom: Animalia	Phylum: Chordata	Class: Mammalia
Order: Pholidota	Family: Manidae	Genus: Varies

Smutsia temminckii

Ground Pangolin

1. The most notable feature of the pangolin is it's scales. These scales are used to help protect the pangolin. When threatened the pangolin curls up in a ball and protects its face, the scales are very hard and sharp, adding even more protection.

2. Pangolins can emit a noxious-smelling chemical from glands near the anus, similar to a skunks spray. This is used to ward off predators.

3. Pangolins have extremely long tongues on the likes of anteaters, their tongues are longer than their entire body, allowing them to eat ants and termites

4. Pangolins have ants and other insects that live on their skin that eat parasites

5. Pangolins have large claws that are used for digging up termite and ant nest, as well as peeling the bark off of trees to find insects

Pangolins live on their own, only interacting with other pangolins during mating. There is no specific mating season, but most animals typically mate once a year during the summer and fall months. To attract a mate, males will mark their location with urine or feces, letting the females use their strong sense of smell to locate them. If multiple males are in the same area as a female, they can fight over her, using their strong tails as clubs. Fertilization occurs within the female, after about 140 days the female gives birth to a single baby.

Pangolins can be found across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa in sandy areas of woodlands and savannas. Their homes, underground burrows.

Biotic Factors:

Ants and Termites - Since these are the pangolins food source they must stay near these insects
Humans - Pangolins are poached for their scales and meat so staying away from Humans is the best options
Lions, Tigers, Leopards - These animals kill pangolins so the pangolin hides underground from them
Acacia Trees - Many species of pangolins live in trees and most live in Acacia trees

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature - Pangolins like to live in a certain range of heat, normally around 70 F
Water - Pangolins live very close to a water source, they needs lots of water to survive in the African heat

Mutualism

Parasitism

How did the pangolin become endangered?

Some pangolins are becoming endangered or have gone extinct because they were not able to adopt to the changing environment. But the largest reason for the pangolin being endangered is humans. They are the most poached mammal in the world. In many African and Asian countries people poach their scales, and use them for traditional medicine, fashion, or to eat as a high end cuisine. In February 2019 30 tons of poached pangolin scales were seized in Malaysia.

Why should we care about the pangolin?

Because pangolins have a huge appetite they keep all of the pests in check, it is estimated that pangolins eat 70 million insects annually. Without pangolins Asia and Africa would be overrun with insects.

What can we do to save pangolins?

Surprisingly a lot of pangolin products are sold in the U.S. If you see products such as pangolin medicine, pangolin wine, pangolin jewelry, and pangolin scales or leather please do not buy them. You could also spread the word about pangolins, this has directly led to more support for policy reform, scientific research, and more conservation efforts. You could also donate to multiple organizations that help pangolins.

What organizations are helping pangolins?

A conservation group known as Save Pangolins helps spread the word on pangolins and trains wildlife authorities and rangers on how best to protect pangolins. Another organization known as IFAW has helped the pangolins get into Appendix I of CITES in 2016 which means that the pangolin now has the strictest level of protection from international trade. WCS or the Wildlife Conservation Society helps law enforcement officials arrest and prosecute illegal traders who ship thousands of pangolins.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin
https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/pangolin
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2012/grosshue_crai/interactions.htm
http://factsanddetails.com/asian/cat68/sub433/item2446.html
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/pholidota.html

Pangolin

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Characteristics / Adaptations

Food / Reproduction

Habitat

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