Source: Wildlife Safari.info
Sometimes called the scaly anteater, the armor that covers the pangolin is made of keratin, like your fingernails. Thankfully for the mom, when young pangolins are born their scales are soft, but harden as they grow older. Like the anteater, the pangolin has the equipment needed to open termite mounds and ant nests - sharp claws. And they also have the requisite long, sticky tongue for scooping up ants and termites. And also like the anteater a pangolin has no teeth.
In the face of danger, the pangolin can curl up in a ball to protect itself. Besides its armor, the pangolin has one more trick up its sleeve - it can spray a noxious acid like a skunk.
Source: Bizarre Bites
There are eight species of pangolins and they are found in Asia and Africa. The tree pangolin uses its tail to hang from branches and searches for bugs in the tree bark. Unfortunately, pangolins are hunted and eaten; its meat is considered a delicacy in China. And numbers are declining due to deforestation. Luckily there are some people ready and willing to help.
Tree Pangolin Photo by Valerius Tygart Source: Wikipedia
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