The pangolin is a bit like an anteater, an armadillo, and an artichoke rolled into one. These guys are little tanks that can withstand a lion’s bite. The way they walk reminds me of a T-rex and looks very funny. More info below.
There are three main types of this small African mammal: the ground pangolin (Manis temminckii), the giant pangolin (Manis gigantea), and the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). Its most defining characteristic is the keratinous scales that make up about 20% of its weight. When in danger, the pangolin can roll into a nearly impenetrable ball. The fact that it does not have any external ears makes it even more troublesome for would-be predators. Additionally, the pangolin can shift the scales slightly, making the sharp edges cut like tiny blades. Pangolins are not just remarkable in their defense mechanism. They are also quite capable of consuming their insect prey, despite the fact that pangolins lack teeth altogether. Instead, they use powerful claws to break up termite nests, then use a long sticky tongue (up to 16 inches long on larger pangolins) to “lick up” the insects.
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