The Cape pangolin (Manis temmincki) is a strange looking creature that is covered with sharp plates. These plates are made from tightly packed hair and used to protect the pangolin from predators. When threatened, the pangolin roles into a ball, protecting it's soft belly and face.
The pangolin's plates are the animals only source of protection. It has no teeth and it's large claws are used to look for food that consists of ants, termites, and beetle grubs. Those claws can easily break through a termite mound or remove tree bark, while it's long 16 inch sticky tongue collects its meal.
Pangolin's lack scales on their face. However, their skin is very tough and thick and protects it from getting bit and stung by ants and termites. It can also close it's nose and ear openings so things can't crawl up there.
Although the Cape pangolin is only found in Africa, there are seven species of pangolin found around the world. The giant pangolin, small-scaled tree pangolin, and the long tailed pangolin are also found in Africa. The Chinese pangolin, Indian pangolin, and the Malayan pangolin are found in Asia.
Pangolin's are considered Endangered due to habitat loss and over hunting. They have their own holiday, World Pangolin Day, which is celebrated on the third Saturday of February. On this day, people try to teach people about this usually unheard of animal and to bring awareness of their endangered status and how to improve it.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Animals, 2006, Per Christiansen.
