Pangolins - Features

Pangolins and armadillos share many features, from their lengthy bodies to the protection covering their skin from predators, but pangolins are closely related to mongooses. Although it may look like pangolins can’t hear well with their small ears, they have great hearing. Along with their hearing, they also have an amazing sense of smell, making it possible to sniff out insects, such as ants and termites, hidden underground and in trees. Their strong sense of smell is a crucial thing pangolins need to survive; without it, they wouldn’t be able to track down much, as they have terrible eyesight. When they're on the hunt for food, a pangolin will rise on its hind legs and sniff the air for any mounds nearby. After finding a mound of bugs, a pangolin starts digging with 3 long, curved claws on its paws. Pangolins are capable of closing their nose and ears to prevent dirt from getting in.

Another interesting thing about pangolin anatomy is they don’t have any teeth. They slurp up bugs with their long tongue. The tongue, if stretched up, could span up to 16 inches. In order for it to fit in the mouth, it's attached near the pelvis and down by the last rib cage. After the insects get stuck to the tongue, they travel down to the pangolin's stomach, where small stones help grind up food.

Pangolins' scales are unique in their nature. The scales are made of keratin, which is also what fingernails and hair are made of. The scales littering the body make up 20% of their weight. The scales act as protective armor, shielding it from different predators such as leopards, hyenas, and humans. When a pangolin feels threatened by anything, it will curl into a ball and will occasionally flick its tail out. Other ways of defense include puffing up their body, hissing, or emitting a noxious-smelling smoke from their glands like a skunk. Pangolins need to curl into a ball to protect their stomach, as it only has a small bit of fur covering it. Pangolins range in a variety of sizes from 3.5 pounds to 73 pounds, and they vary in length from 12 inches to 60.