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(The Gist of Science Reporter) Pangolin Facts [MARCH-2019]

Pangolin Facts

The name Pangolin is derived from the Malay word “pengguling’, which means “rolling up’. This refers to the animal’s defence mechanism of rolling up into a tight little hardened ball when threatened.
Like a skunk, pangolins can release a noxious-smelling acid to deter predators.
Pangolins have a long sticky tongue that grows from deep inside their chest cavity and can extend to over 40cm, which is longer than its own body! This tongue is a perfect tool for catching insects. One pangolin is estimated to catch a massive 70 million a year.
With no teeth, and unable to chew, the insects are broken up by stones and keratin spines located inside their stomach.
It is unknown how long pangolins live because captivity is traumatic for pangolins resulting in stress, depression and early death. However, the oldest recorded pangolin in captivity died at 19 years old.
They are nocturnal, solitary animals with very poor eyesight. Their sense of smell and sound is supreme and is used to hunt out termite mounds and ant hills.
Cute pangolin pups hitch a ride on their mother's tails for three months and remain in their mother's care for five months before braving life solo.
Pangolins are increasingly becoming victims of illegal wildlife crime due to their meat and scales.
Eight species of pangolins are found on two continents. They range from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.
Four species live in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), Whitebellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Giant Ground pangolin (Smuts/o gigantea) and Temminck’s Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii).
The four species found in Asia: Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).
All eight pangolin species are protected under national and international laws, and two are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.