In 2016, pangolins gained the highest levels of protection under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with the decision to uplist all 8 species to Appendix I. International trade in pangolins for commercial purposes is prohibited by law.
One thought is that pangolins don’t have teeth and they can’t move very quickly, so they rely on their scales to protect themselves against predators and the biting ants that are their food source . When threatened, this unusual mammal will curl up into a ball with its overlapping scales acting like armor. The scales are sharp, which provide an extra defense, and once curled, it’s nearly impossible to force the pangolin to unwind.
What do pangolins do when threatened?
When threatened, pangolins roll up into a ball , using their scales like armor. Pangolins are solitary, most are nocturnal and highly secretive; thus it is difficult for scientists to study them in the wild, and many mysteries remain about their behavior and habits.
One answer is that the most striking characteristic of the pangolin is its scales , which grow throughout its life just like human hair, and overlap like the scales of this pinecone. Pangolins don’t have teeth and they can’t move very quickly, so they rely on their scales to protect themselves against predators and the biting ants that are their food source.
WWF, together with TRAFFIC , is working in Asia and Africa to protect pangolins and other species from wildlife crime.
How many species of pangolins are endangered?
All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) SSC Pangolin Specialist Group . The four Asian species are classified as Critically Endangered or Endangered, and the four African species are classified as Vulnerable.
Pangolins are the most trafficked wild mammals in the world. But it is not too late to save them from extinction. All eight species of pangolins are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) SSC Pangolin Specialist Group.
How does a mother Pangolin protect her baby?
A mother will protectively roll around her baby when sleeping or if threatened . Babies nurse for three to four months, but can eat termites and ants at one month. Infant pangolins will ride on the base of the mother’s tail as she forages for insects.
Can a pangolin roll around in a ball?
All pangolins are able to roll themselves into a ball as self-defense . Their armor-plated scales are also capable of a cutting action, worked by powerful muscles, which inflict serious wounds on anything inserted between them.