One of the most remarkable and unusual mammals in Asia, famous for being completely covered in overlapping scales made of keratin—the same material as human fingernails. Found across parts of China, Nepal, Bhutan, northern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, this small, nocturnal animal is perfectly adapted for a secretive, underground life. Its scales act like armor, protecting it from predators, while its long, curved claws allow it to dig deep burrows and tear into termite mounds with ease. When threatened, it curls into a tight ball, presenting only its sharp-edged scales—a defense so effective that even big cats like tigers and leopards struggle to harm it.
What makes the Chinese pangolin unique is its specialized diet and lifestyle. It is a strict insectivore, feeding almost entirely on ants and termites. With no teeth, it uses its long, sticky tongue—often longer than its own body—to slurp up thousands of insects in a single night. Its tongue is anchored deep in its chest cavity, a remarkable adaptation that lets it extend far out of its mouth. By digging into insect nests, pangolins play an important ecological role in controlling ant and termite populations and in aerating the soil, much like natural plows. They are solitary and nocturnal, emerging only at night to forage, while spending the day hidden in burrows that can extend several meters underground.
Despite their tough armor, Chinese pangolins are among the most endangered mammals in the world. They have long been hunted for their meat, considered a delicacy in some regions, and their scales, which are used in traditional medicine despite having no proven medical value. This overexploitation has caused populations to plummet across their range, earning them the tragic title of being part of the “most trafficked mammals” on Earth.
Distribution
Bangladesh
Bhutan
China
Hong Kong
India
Laos
Myanmar
Nepal
Taiwan
Thailand
VietnamAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
