Facts and Photos

What are Pangolins?

There are 8 species of Pangolin

Pangolins can live up to 45 years and weigh anywhere from 4 to 7 pounds. Every pangolin is covered in scales that are made of keratin which is also found in fingernails. They do not have any teeth but instead have stones and keratin spines that crush up their food in their stomachs. Pangolins can curl up into balls much like the armadillo. Their hard and sharp scales act as both a sword and a shield against predators. Pangolins eat ants and termites which can sometimes lead to them being attacked by their colonies. Luckily, pangolins have thick eyelids and are able to close up their earholes and nostrils to keep ants and termites out.

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Photo credit:San Diego Zoo

Photo credit:The Conversation

Photo credit:sciencemag.org

Photo credit:New York Times