Pangolins, or Manis, are solitary nocturnal animals, covered from head to tail in an armor of keratin scales. Keratin is also what makes up human's fingernails, as well as some other species’ claws. The Pangolin’s scales are believed to have medicinal benefits, although this has been proved to be an urban legend, similar to the shark fin pills stopping cancer rumors. A spooked pangolin will enclose its head with its front legs, displaying its scales to any potential predator. If grabbed or touched it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be used to lash out. Their insectivorous diet gives them their nickname; “scaly anteaters.” Despite this misleading nickname recent genetic evidence proves that they are actually more closely related to hyenas, cats, bears and seals than they are to anteaters, armadillos, and sloths.
These armored creatures are found in Africa and Asia. Of the eight species of Manis, they are separated evenly among the two countries, with four residing in Africa, and four in Asia. The four african species are the Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Temminck's Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) and Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea). The four Asian species are the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), and the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica).
Manis are the most trafficked mammal in the world. The scaly anteaters are hunted for their meat and scales, mainly in Asia, but the “trend” has begun to spread throughout Africa as well. “The illegal trade of pangolins hit a new milestone this month when Shanghai customs officials seized more than 3 tons of pangolin scales.” As previously mentioned, these scales are considered to have medicinal benefits, raising their demand to a devastating level for the Pangolins. All of the species are under protected by international and national laws. Two of the species have been listed as critically endangered by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Though illegal poachers and traffickers do not care, and continue to conduct their black market businesses. If the trafficking continues Pangolins will have an estimated 25 years at most before they go extinct.
Sources:
Blau, Max. "Chinese Officials Seize Record Number of Pangolin Scales." CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Dec. 2016. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.
"Pangolin." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.
These armored creatures are found in Africa and Asia. Of the eight species of Manis, they are separated evenly among the two countries, with four residing in Africa, and four in Asia. The four african species are the Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla), White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), Temminck's Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) and Giant Ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea). The four Asian species are the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), and the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica).
Manis are the most trafficked mammal in the world. The scaly anteaters are hunted for their meat and scales, mainly in Asia, but the “trend” has begun to spread throughout Africa as well. “The illegal trade of pangolins hit a new milestone this month when Shanghai customs officials seized more than 3 tons of pangolin scales.” As previously mentioned, these scales are considered to have medicinal benefits, raising their demand to a devastating level for the Pangolins. All of the species are under protected by international and national laws. Two of the species have been listed as critically endangered by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Though illegal poachers and traffickers do not care, and continue to conduct their black market businesses. If the trafficking continues Pangolins will have an estimated 25 years at most before they go extinct.
Sources:
Blau, Max. "Chinese Officials Seize Record Number of Pangolin Scales." CNN. Cable News Network, 29 Dec. 2016. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.
"Pangolin." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, 2017. Web. 16 Mar. 2017.