Pangolins are the coolest, most hunted and most endangered animals that you've never heard of. If you've ever seen the photo below, chances are you, like myself, have seen it online. I was actually first introduced to them through a meme involving this photo:
(With the caption: "Why is that pinecone drinking water?" "Because it's thirsty.")
Until I showed that meme to a friend, whose favorite animal happened to be the pangolin, I had no idea what this animal was. So here are a few facts about these amazing creatures:
1. There are eight species of pangolin.
This doesn't even include several extinct species that existed over the course of their 80 million year evolution!
2. Pangolins are actually mammals.
Furthermore, they are the only mammals to be covered in scales!
3. Their tongues can be longer than their bodies.
Which is pretty nuts.
4. Their large, curved claws allow them to both climb and hang from trees...
...as well as dig through concrete, depending on the species. Some dig burrows so large that a human can stand up in them!
5. Their name means "something that rolls up."
I don't know what you think, but that's one giant roly-poly.
6. They have no fear of "lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!"
Their scales are too hard for even big cats to bite through, and rolling up is often enough to discourage their primary predators which, after humans, are lions, leopards, and tigers.
7. While the oldest pangolin to live in captivity was nineteen years of age, no one really knows how long these mysterious, prehistoric creatures live.
The assumption is twenty or so years in the wild, but it is really impossible to know considering how stressful captive life is for creatures of all kinds.
8. If you smell skunk, it might be a pangolin.
These guys are able to emit a noxious-smelling acid, similar to a skunk, although they are unable to actually spray the liquid. This is one of their defense mechanisms beyond rolling up and lashing their tale, which has scales that can cut a predator's skin with ease.
9. All species of pangolin are threatened with endangerment.
An estimated 100,000 are captured and killed every year for their meat and scales in Africa and Asia, with China and Vietnam topping the list for consumption.
10. It is thought that their closest relative might not be the anteater.
Previously scientists believed they belonged to a group of species including armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. However, new evidence may suggest that these creatures are actually more closely related to bears and hyenas.
Although, Tumblr users do have a point: pangolins do look like pinecones.
To learn more about pangolins, their plight, and how to help, you can visit this site.
