Meet the Pangolin an Endagered Species

A newborn baby pangolin in a cage during a news conference at Thai customs in Bangkok on April 20, 2011. 175 pangolins were found hidden in a truck heading into Bangkok early in the morning. Pangolins are listed as endangered species and are found in Southeast Asia and Africa. Source: Reuters

According to Wikipedia:
Pangolin are scaly looking anteaters. Pangolins have large keratin scales covering their skin and are the only mammals with scales. They are found in tropical regions of Africa and Asia. The name “pangolin” derives from the Malay word pengguling (“something that rolls up”). Pangolins are nocturnal animals, and use their well-developed sense of smell to find insects. The long-tailed pangolin is also active by day. Pangolins spend most of the daytime sleeping, curled up into a ball.

Pangolins lack teeth and the ability to chew. Instead, they tear open anthills or termite mounds with their powerful front claws and probe deep into them with their very long tongues. Pangolins have glands in their chests to lubricate the tongue with sticky, ant-catching saliva. Pangolins are hunted and eaten in many parts of Africa. Pangolins are also in great demand in China because their meat is considered a delicacy and some Chinese believe pangolin scales reduce swelling, promote blood circulation and help breast-feeding women produce milk. This, coupled with deforestation, has led to a large decrease in the numbers of Giant Pangolins.

In November 2010, pangolins were added to the Zoological Society of London’s list of genetically distinct and endangered mammals.