Pangolins: Introducing the lonely and sweet-natured scaly anteater

With their long snouts, scaly bodies, and incredible tails, pangolins might just be the weirdest-looking animal on Earth. These prehistoric creatures were once found all around the world, but sadly, the thing that makes them so unique is also the thing that has made them so valuable to poachers. 

Pangolins are the only mammal on Earth with scales, which they use for protection from predators. However, it's their scales that are often used in traditional medicines, potions, and even wine. Although hunting for pangolins is completely illegal, they are still the world’s most trafficked animal. Here is why these fascinating creatures 

What are pangolins?

Pangolins (also known as scaly anteaters) are part of a group of mammals called the order Pholidota. The pangolin family is prehistoric, and has been around for some 80 million years. There are eight living species of pangolins left in the world today; four can be found in Asia and four in Africa.

Asia

• Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), which is native to the northern Indian subcontinent, northern parts of Southeast Asia and southern China.
• Indian pangolin (also known as thick-tailed pangolin, Manis crassicaudata), which are found in India. 
• Sunda pangolin (all known as Malayan pangolin, Manis javanic), whose geographic location overlaps with the Chinese pangolin. They can be distinguished by fewer rows of scales across the back, shorter forelimb claws, and a longer, slender tail.
• Philippine pangolin (also known as Palawan pangolin, Manis culionensis), is endemic* to the Palawan province of the Philippines.

Africa

• Tree pangolin (also known as white-bellied pangolin, Phataginus tricuspis), are native to equatorial Africa. They are strictly arboreal*.
• Long-tailed pangolins (also known as black-bellied pangolin, Phataginus tetradactyla) are found in Central and West Africa, and like their white-bellied cousins, they are also arboreal.
• Giant pangolin (also known as giant ground pangolin, Smutsia gigantica), is the largest and rarest of the species, having now gone extinct in various parts of Africa.
• Cape pangolin (also known as Temminck's ground pangolin, Smutsia temminckii) found all over South Africa. 

Once upon a time these unique creatures could be seen all over the world, surviving five global extinction events, including that of the dinosaurs! Fossils from their ancient ancestors have been found in modern day Germany and North America. These days, pangolins are only found in the tropical and swamp forests of Southeast Asia, or the savannahs and grasslands of Africa. 

What makes pangolins so special?

Pangolins are not very big, ranging in size from 12 inches (30 cm) to 4.5 feet long (1.3 meters). They have elongated bodies covered in overlapping scales which are made from keratin—the same protein that helps us grow hair and nails. Their tongues are exceptionally long—sometimes longer than their bodies—and are specifically designed for scooping up their favorite food.

Pangolins are nocturnal and solitary, and only mate once a year. When baby pangolins (called pangopups) are born they are covered in soft, white scales that harden after a couple of days. After they are born, they stay with their mother until they become independent between 5 and 8 months. Pangolins only tend to produce one offspring a year, and this slow reproductive process is one of the main reasons why pangolin populations struggle to recover. 

These specialized insectivores* use their sharp claws to tear apart insect nests, and use their long and sticky tongues to capture ants, termites and other burrowing insects. In fact, pangolins consume up to 20 000 insects per night. This means that pangolins are a keystone species—they keep the ant and termite populations under control so that they don’t overwhelm their forest ecosystem. The burrows they dig also benefit the ecosystem. Pangolins use their claws to dig holes that aerate the soil and turn over organic material, and provide an important habitat for other organisms.

Pangolins have a unique defense mechanism which they use when threatened in the wild. When they’re attacked by a predator, pangolins can roll themselves into a tight ball, using their unique scales as armor to protect themselves from anything that might wish to call them lunch. Unfortunately (and ironically) the thing that keeps them safe in nature is the same thing that makes them such a target for poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

Why are pangolins the world’s most trafficked animals?

It’s surprising to learn that these sweet-natured creatures are in such danger, especially when so many people have never heard of pangolins, let alone seen one! There are two major reasons for this. 

Poaching

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked animal, and have earned this unfortunate title due to the global demand for their scales, meat, and other body parts. Despite more awareness and international protection efforts, pangolin trafficking is still a significant global crisis.

In parts of China and Vietnam, pangolin scales are used in traditional medicine to treat a wealth of ailments from arthritis and inflammation to cancer, despite zero scientific evidence. In other parts of Asia, pangolin meat is considered a delicacy, and their scales are used to make expensive bags, belts, and other accessories.

It’s estimated that over 1 million pangolins were trafficked between 2010 and 2020, making them the most illegally traded mammal globally. In one 2019 bust in Singapore, some 12 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized, representing 36,000 dead pangolins. Just this year, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) successfully seized over 9.4 tonnes of stockpiled pangolin scales. While these are great victories in the fight against the illegal wildlife networks, it represents only a fraction of the total trade, as much of it goes undetected.

Habitat loss

Rapid deforestation for palm oil plantations, timber extraction, and the spread of urbanization has severely impacted the habitats of species like the Chinese pangolin and Sunda pangolin in Asia. In Africa, pangolins face habitat loss from expanding agricultural land, mining, and logging operations, particularly in West and Central Africa. Habitat loss means that the forests, savannahs, and jungle pangolins they rely on to survive are shrinking, making them vulnerable to a number of threats—including us.

How can we protect pangolins?

Due to the unrelenting demand for pangolin scales, all eight species of the scaly anteater have been given the highest level of protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (or CITES). Here they are joined by many other endangered species like gorillas, sea turtles, and giant pandas. However, putting pangolin protection into practice is another story, as only 17 pangolin-range states have enacted legislation that meets CITES requirements; 31 states have not.

The problem is that more law enforcement is needed to protect the pangolins from trafficking, but lots of regions do not have the resources to invest in human deterrents. It's in these regions that the work of organizations like Save Vietnam’s Wildlife are so valuable. Planet Wild went on a mission to Vietnam to join Lê Minh Chiến and his team to release 8 pangolins deep into the jungle, far away from poachers and danger, giving them the best possible chance at survival.

Sadly, pangolins may never shake the title of the world’s most trafficked animal, which is why they need our protection and the world of groups like Save Vietnam’s Wildlife. However, ongoing education and the global rejection of pangolin products for clothes and medicine will have the biggest impact on the pangolin population. Organizations like the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) are other global organizations working tirelessly to protect pangolins through habitat preservation, anti-poaching patrols, and rehabilitation of rescued pangolins. Without this vital work, the species could become extinct within just 10 years. 

Glossary of terms

Arboreal - Living in trees, or related to trees. Two species of pangolins are arboreal, spending their whole lives in trees.

‍Endemic - Native and restricted to a certain area.

Insectivores - A carnivorous plant or animal that only eats insects.

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