If you’re reading this, chances are that you either know what a pangolin is or want to know more about them.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the various types of pangolins and what they look like in the wild.
If you’re not sure what they are yet, then continue on!
What a Pangolin is
Pangolins are mammals that live throughout Asia and Africa.
They have scales made out of keratin which protects their skin from predators and parasites while also keeping them warm at night.
They look like a cross between an armadillo and a hedgehog but are closely related to the anteater.
Pangolins can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, and savannas.
They spend the majority of their time on the ground but can also climb trees if needed.
They feed mainly on ants and termites, but will also eat other insects
Different Types of Pangolins
There are four different species: Chinese (also known as Tree) Pangolin; White-bellied Crested Pangolin; Giant Ground Pangolin; and Temminck’s Ground Pangolin.
The rarest is the Giant Ground Pangolin, which is also the largest.
The one you’re most likely to see is the Chinese Pangolin, as they are the most populous.
The Chinese pangolin is the smallest of all four species, weighing in at around five pounds.
They are reddish-brown in color with pale undersides and measure about two feet long from head to tail.
The White-bellied Crested Pangolin is larger than the Chinese Pangolin, growing as long as five feet and weighing up to 55 pounds.
They have a dark brown color with orange spots on their backs that help them blend into the surrounding environment while also keeping predators away from their nests
The Giant Ground pangolins are some of the largest species in existence today.
They can be as long as six feet and weigh up to 150 pounds.
They have a black color with white spots on their backs, similar to the White-bellied Pangolin
Finally is Temminck’s Ground pangolins that are also dark brown in coloring but they lack any distinctive markings.
In addition, they only grow about three feet in length and weigh around 33 pounds.
All four species are considered threatened due to poaching and illegal hunting for their meat, scales, and skin.
It is estimated that over one million pangolins have been killed in the past decade alone!
In order to help protect this unique creature, there are several organizations that are dedicated to saving them.
For more information about how you can help, get in touch with us via the contact us page!
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