The giant pangolin | Facts & Information

# The Giant Pangolin | Facts & Information

The Giant Pangolin | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About The Giant Pangolin

The giant pangolin (Manis gigantea) belongs to the genus Manis, order Pholidota. It lives in the equatorial zone, from West Africa to Uganda. The countries with the largest population are Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. It is also found in Sierra Leone and Senegal. It prefers savanna areas, wooded areas, with large termite populations and water. It is not found at high altitudes. It is the largest species of pangolin.

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The Giant Pangolin

The Giant Pangolin

The Giant Pangolin - A Night Miracle in the Animal Kingdom

The giant pangolin, also known as the Asian pangolin, is a fascinating and mysterious animal with distinctive features and interesting habits. It is the largest of all eight existing pangolin species in the world and can reach impressive dimensions, often considered a wonder of the animal kingdom.

The giant pangolin has a unique appearance, with a body completely covered in scales. These scales are made of keratin, the same substance that makes up our human hair and nails. This natural armor protects them from predators and other dangers in their environment.

The size of the giant pangolin is truly impressive. It can reach a length of up to 1.8 meters and a weight of up to 33 kilograms, making it one of the largest scaled animals. Additionally, its tail can be even longer than the rest of its body, adding another spectacular element to its appearance.

The giant pangolin's main food source consists of ants and termites, which it captures using its long, sticky tongue. It constantly feeds, consuming impressive amounts of insects in a single day. It is worth noting that, although it is nicknamed the "scaly anteater," the giant pangolin does not have teeth and swallows its food, scales and all.

The giant pangolin is a nocturnal animal and spends most of its time searching for food. It is perfectly adapted to life in trees and, thanks to its prehensile and sturdy tail, it can move agilely through the tree branches. It also has an astonishing ability to climb vertically, making it a true master of its environment.

However, the environment in which it lives poses major challenges for the giant pangolin. Its habitat stretches across South and Southeast Asia, and the destruction of forests and the modification of ecosystems threaten its existence. Additionally, uncontrolled hunting for meat and the use of scales in traditional medicine are threatening factors for this species.

Therefore, the giant pangolin is now considered a vulnerable species and is protected by law in most countries where it resides. However, conservation and protection efforts must be increased to ensure the survival of this fascinating animal.

With every individual protected and increased awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation, there is a chance for the giant pangolin to enjoy a secure future and continue to impress the world with its unique appearance and unusual habits.

In conclusion, the giant pangolin is a fascinating and extraordinary animal with a distinctive appearance and remarkable adaptations for life in trees. Despite the threats it faces, it is our duty to ensure that it has a place in our natural future and that future generations will have the opportunity to admire this night miracle in the animal kingdom.

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Facts

Origin

The giant pangolin was first described by Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger in 1815. It can be found in foreign or specialized literature and under the names: giant Ground Pangolin (giant Earth pangolin), Grand pangolin or giant Pangolin.

Due to habitat destruction and deforestation the species is in danger. In addition it is hunted for scales and meat. Locals believe that pangolin meat has healing effects. If no action is taken, a greater decline is expected in the coming years due to hunting and demand from the international market(China and Vietnam). It no longer exists in Rwanda and Nigeria. The attempt to protect this species in some places has led to increased hunting. Lucky specimens are found in several nature parks that are guarded and hunting is prohibited.

Feeding The Giant Pangolin

The main food of pangolin consists of termites and ants. These insects are rich in protein. Like other species, it lacks teeth and the ability to chew.

Due to its relatively large size, the giant pangolin rests its weight on its tail so it can use its front paws to open termite mounds. Termite mounds can reach 1-2 meters above the ground. The combination of physical strength and weight can break termite mounds, making them vulnerable. Only adults are strong enough for this. The young walk behind their mother until they can feed themselves.

Once the mound is opened, the pangolin uses its thin, 40cm-long tongue covered in sticky saliva to "serve" the termites.

Features Giant Pangolin

The giant pangolin is the largest species of pangolin on the globe. Males, which are larger than females (125cm), reach lengths of 140cm and weight of 33kg. Like all species of pangolin, the body is likecovered with scales and has a reddish-brown color. The scales are made of keratin, the same substance from which the hair, hooves, nails, etc., of other animals or humans is made. The muzzle is long and thin, as is the tail. The front paws end with strong fingers and claws.

The vision is not very good, but the smell is very well developed. Anal glands have a strong odor. When moving, it uses its tail for balance. He also walks on two legs like bipeds. And hearing is very good even if the ears are devoid of earbuds.

Like other species of pangolins, the giant pangolin is also a nocturnal animal. It was also normal because the solar radiation during the day and the high temperatures pose great problems on the go. It is generally a solitary animal capable of climbing trees. It is found in areas with slightly higher humidity where it can dig into the soil to look for food.

The day rests at the base of the roots of trees or in hollows in the shade.

Locals use scales and other body parts to bring rain, drive away evil spirits and Lions.

Breeding The Giant Pangolin

Little is known about the reproduction of pangolin. Some causes are that it is a nocturnal, secretive, shy animal and there are few species. Normally they are solitary animals, but during the breeding season they met in the same burrow the male, the female and the cub.

The female gives birth between September and October. The gestation period lasts 4-5 months (140 days). At birth, puppies weigh about 500 grams. Puppies are born with open eyes. The scales at first are soft, they harden with age. In the first days they can not walk standing, they crawl on their stomachs.

By the age of 6-8 weeks, the chicks secrete a foul-smelling yellow substance from the anal glands, a substance that keeps predators away.

Life expectancy is estimated at 9 years, but may live longer.

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