There are 8 pangolin species in the world of which 4 are found in Africa and 4 in Asia. The species differ in terms of size, weight, and types of habitats they live in. The African pangolin species include the black-bellied (Uromanis tetradactyla), African white-bellied (phataginus tricuspis), ground (Smutsia temminckii), and the Giant ground.
The four Asian pangolin species include Philippine (Manis culionensis), Indian (Manis crassicaudata), Chinese (manis pentadactyla), and Sunda pangolin (manis javanica). They’re different from their African counterparts in that they have fur between their scales.
Pangolins, also known as scaly anteaters are mammals with a unique body structure that’s covered with scales which account for almost 20% of the weight. The scales contain keratin, an acidic compound which they emit when they’re threatened to repel off the enemy of which the main predators are leopards, hyenas, and humans. The scales are sharp and capable of cutting and provide defense as the animal rolls itself like a ball hiding its head and legs inside them. They’re nocturnal animals staying in burrows during day and getting out at dark to hunt. Pangolins have a strong sense of smell that enables them to move at night to locate termite mounds and ant nests to feed on insects as the main diet. They have no teeth and instead use a tongue that’s coated with sticky mucus to feed on termites and insects. When feeding, a pangolin can extend its tongue beyond its body length, which measures roughly 30-152 centimeters. A pangolin weighs between 1.5-33 kg and can eat up to 20,000 insects and termites per day depending on the availability of food and resources in a given habitat.
Pangolin’s meat is a delicacy and scales are used in traditional medicine across various cultures including China and Vietnam, which account for the world’s highest demand. In African, pangolins are increasingly being killed for bush meat and for other traditional rituals. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world and their population is declining on both continents. All four African pangolin species are listed as vulnerable Among the Asian species, the Indian and the Philippine pangolins are listed as endangered and the other 2 are critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. In addition to illegal trade and poaching, other threats to pangolins include habitat loss due encroachment on their habitats. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna included all 8 pangolin species in the Apendix II since 1975. In order to regulate illegal trade in pangolin specimens, all range states in both Africa and Asia, were in 2014 requested to collect and make data available on their population, devise strategy to monitor and protect the species.
Today, most countries have pangolin conservation projects in place. For instance, the Uganda Conservation Foundation works in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority to conserve the 4 pangolin species found in Uganda through putting in place equipment to rescue and handle confiscated pangolins and then release them into the wild in Murchison falls national park. Wildlife rangers have been trained in pangolin handling. The project has also established two safety zones in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison falls national park where pangolin sightings are common on gorilla safaris in Uganda.
World Pangolin Day is observed on the 3rd Saturday of February each year to raise global awareness and take action to conserve the species.