pangolin interesting facts by Eternal_Knight 2011/05/28 08:05
1.Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that comprises hair and fingernails. The scales also grow continuously.
2.The pangolins scales compriseabout 20% of its weight.
3.Pangolins do not have teeth. They feed on on ants and termites using a long, sticky tongue.
4.The pangolins tongue when fully extended can be up to 16 inches longer than the entire animal.
5.Pangolins can close their ear and nostril openings to keep insects out.
6.The pangolins stomach grindscontents with small stones, similar to a birds gizzard.
7.Pangolins have very poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of smell.
8.Pangolins mark their territories with stinky secretionsfrom a special gland, as well as the traditional marking methodsof scattering feces and urine.
9.It is estimated that one pangolin can consume in excess of 70 million insects per year.
10.There are eight species of pangolin: Four Asian species and four African species.
11.Baby pangolins travel with their mother by riding on the base of her tail.
Pangolin populations in decline
According to the IUCN Red List ofThreatened Species, all eight pangolin species are experiencing decreasing populations. Due to an unfortunate superstition throughout China that pangolin meat, scales, fetus, and body parts have medicinal properties, the Chinese Pangolin and the Sunda Pangolin are now classified as endangered.
1.Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same material that comprises hair and fingernails. The scales also grow continuously.
2.The pangolins scales compriseabout 20% of its weight.
3.Pangolins do not have teeth. They feed on on ants and termites using a long, sticky tongue.
4.The pangolins tongue when fully extended can be up to 16 inches longer than the entire animal.
5.Pangolins can close their ear and nostril openings to keep insects out.
6.The pangolins stomach grindscontents with small stones, similar to a birds gizzard.
7.Pangolins have very poor eyesight, but an excellent sense of smell.
8.Pangolins mark their territories with stinky secretionsfrom a special gland, as well as the traditional marking methodsof scattering feces and urine.
9.It is estimated that one pangolin can consume in excess of 70 million insects per year.
10.There are eight species of pangolin: Four Asian species and four African species.
11.Baby pangolins travel with their mother by riding on the base of her tail.
Pangolin populations in decline
According to the IUCN Red List ofThreatened Species, all eight pangolin species are experiencing decreasing populations. Due to an unfortunate superstition throughout China that pangolin meat, scales, fetus, and body parts have medicinal properties, the Chinese Pangolin and the Sunda Pangolin are now classified as endangered.
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