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| Malayan Pangolin Manis javanica (Desmarest, 1822) |
| Common Names: Pangolin, Palawan Scaly
Anteater Habitat/Distribution: Burma to Java., Philippines; recorded only in Palawan Island; Primary and secondary lowland forest (Hoogstraal, 1951) Habitat / Behavior: The scaly ant eater measures 58 cm head and body and 45 cm tail. It has 18 rows of overlapping scales around the body. Females as a rule are smaller than males. The scaly ant eater possesses hair and scales, an unusual combination for mammals. It has a small pointed head and narrow mouth with a fine set muzzle. It also has a fleshy nose bearing nostrils. The eyes and ears are small and the head integrates smoothly into a short neck and later merges directly into the roundish body. The short legs come down the body and are tipped with sharp claws. The forefeet are longer and stronger than the hind feet. The pangolin is a burrowing nocturnal mammal. The male pangolin has the scrotum sheathed inside abdominal skin so as to avoid head loss. In both sexes, eyelids are devoid of lubricating glands. Females possess two mammae with their auxiliary teats. Generally the perennial glad exudes a musky acrid secretion which helps the animal for recognition of sexes.
Threats: Pangolin's meat is eaten as great delicacy and also
the destruction of the forest contribute to the threat. Conservation Efforts/Measures: Photograph Information: Courtesy of APA.com, Illustration by Hermann Fey |
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