7 surprising facts about pangolins

Covered in scales, shy by nature, and often described as looking a bit like a walking pinecone, pangolins are in serious trouble. All eight species are under threat from poaching, trafficking, and habitat loss.

Here are seven fascinating facts about pangolins and why they urgently need our protection.

1. They’re covered in scales but they’re mammals, not reptiles

Despite looking like little dinosaurs, pangolins are actually mammals. In fact, they’re the only mammals in the world covered in scales.

Their scales are made of keratin (the same material as our fingernails) and help protect them from predators. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball, which sadly makes them an easy target for poachers.

2. Their tongues can be longer than their bodies

A pangolin’s tongue is so long it actually attaches near the pelvis and coils inside their chest cavity when not in use.

They use it to slurp up ants and termites — which leads us to...

3. One pangolin can eat over 70 million insects a year

Pangolins have a huge appetite, hoovering up ants and termites by the thousands every night. Their sticky tongues are perfect for digging deep into nests.

By doing this, pangolins help keep insect populations in check and play a crucial role in the ecosystems they live in.

4. Some pangolins live in trees and they’re great climbers

Not all pangolins live on the ground. Species like the black-bellied pangolin in Central Africa have prehensile tails that help them balance as they climb trees in search of food.

Others are strong diggers, burrowing deep into the earth to build cosy underground homes.

5. They’re born with soft, white scales

Baby pangolins or “pangopups” are born with pink skin and soft white scales that gradually harden with age.

Mothers carry their babies on their tails as they move about, protecting them with their own bodies when danger is near. And yes, it's as cute as it sounds.

6. They’ve been around for millions of years

Pangolins have walked the Earth for tens of millions of years. But in just a few short decades, human activity has pushed them to the brink.

All eight species (four in Africa, four in Asia) are now under threat, mainly because of poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

7. They’re one of the most trafficked animals on the planet

Pangolins are hunted and killed for their meat and scales, particularly in Asia. Their scales are used in traditional medicine, despite zero scientific evidence that they have any health benefits.

It’s estimated that over a million pangolins have been taken from the wild in the last decade making them one of the most trafficked mammals in the world.