News: Researchers from the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) have demonstrated that local ecological knowledge of the Adi community can significantly improve scientific efforts to track the critically endangered Chinese pangolin.
About Chinese Pangolin
- The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a small, nocturnal mammal known for its distinctive body covering of hard, overlapping scales.
- It is the only mammal in the world that is completely covered in protective keratin scales.
- Habitat: The Chinese pangolin inhabits subtropical, tropical, and deciduous forests.
- Distribution: Its geographic range includes southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Hainan.
- The species is also found in parts of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- In South Asia, it occurs in northern parts of India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
- Physical Characteristics and Behaviour:
- Its body is covered with around 18 rows of greyish-blue scales interspersed with hair.
- Its scales are made of keratin.
- An adult Chinese pangolin typically measures 40 to 58 cm in body length, with a tail length of 25 to 38 cm.
- The species usually weighs between 2 and 7 kg.
- The Chinese pangolin has a small, pointed head and a narrow mouth with no teeth.
- It possesses a long, sticky tongue that can extend up to 40 centimeters to capture ants and termites.
- Strong front claws enable it to dig deep burrows, sometimes reaching up to 8 feet underground.
- The species is primarily nocturnal and lives a solitary lifestyle. During the day, it rests in burrows or hollow trees and forages at night.
- Its body is covered with around 18 rows of greyish-blue scales interspersed with hair.
- Defence mechanism: When threatened, the pangolin curls into a tight ball, exposing only its hard scales.
- It protects itself further by closing its nostrils and ears and using thick eyelids to prevent insect bites.
- Diet: The Chinese pangolin feeds almost exclusively on ants and termites. It uses its strong sense of smell to locate insect colonies. An adult pangolin can consume up to 70 million insects in a year.
- Ecological Role: By controlling insect populations, the species helps maintain ecological balance. Its burrowing activity improves soil aeration and nutrient cycling.
- Conservation Status: The Chinese pangolin has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2014.
- Threats: Illegal poaching is the primary threat to the Chinese pangolin. The species is considered the most trafficked mammal in the world.
