Animal Profiles
Mammals

Pangolin

Pholidota

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Pangolins are scaled mammals specialized for eating insects. This account focuses on the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), a burrowing species of South Asia.

Manis crassicaudata (pangolin)

An Indian pangolin brought to a forest range office in India.

A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Indian pangolins use South Asian grasslands and tropical woodland, requiring suitable digging soil and insect food. These details do not describe every pangolin species.
Habitat
Grassland, Rainforest
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Ants and termites are the main food, with other small invertebrates sometimes eaten.

Classification

Common name
Pangolin
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Pholidota
Source classification
Mammalia

Three things to know

  • Its protective scales contain keratin.
  • It lacks teeth.
  • It can curl into a defensive ball.

Habitat and range

Indian pangolins use South Asian grasslands and tropical woodland, requiring suitable digging soil and insect food. These details do not describe every pangolin species.

Appearance and adaptations

Overlapping scales cover much of the body. Powerful foreclaws break into insect nests, and a long tongue gathers the exposed prey.

Diet and behaviour

Ants and termites are the main food, with other small invertebrates sometimes eaten. It is mainly active at night and rests in shelters during daylight. It can climb as well as dig, and rolls up when threatened.

Sources

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