Pangolins are mammals that walk bipedally. They hunch and wobble while they walk, holding their large front claws up until they’re needed to dig deeply into ant hills and termite mounds. Their reeeeeally long tongue can reach down into the insect tunnels and their keratin scales can protect them from the biting swarms, as well as from larger predators like leopards and large snakes.
This fascinating video by NatGeo Wild introduces this wonderfully prehistoric-looking mammal.
There are eight species of pangolins found throughout Africa and Asia. They are closely related to Xenarthrans – anteaters, armadillos, and sloths. Pangolins are mostly nocturnal. Some can hang from trees using their prehensile tails. Some sleep rolled up.
There’s a white-bellied tree pangolin living at the San Diego Zoo. You can watch an official zoo video about him:
…then enjoy this more personal introduction:
Watch this next: What is an Animal? Rae Wynn-Grant explains with Crash Course Zoology.
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