According to a study published in 2017 by the Conservation Letters journal, between 400,000 and 2.7 million of the animals are hunted each year in central African forests. "A pot of pangolin scales sells for about 30,000 CFA francs (46 euros / $50). Often, though, rolling up in a ball is enough to outwit the big cats, as a pangolin's keratin scales are too hard for even a lion to bite through. As a result, certain species have become endangered. Most pangolins are nocturnal animals which use their well-developed sense of smell to find insects. Some pangolins use their tails to climb trees, while others lash out with them to scare off predators. The harmless creature has no defence against predators apart from its small size and a camouflage of brown scales covering its body. "You can't keep them more than a few days. In the park's offices, Arranz opened a metal door to give an idea of the scale of trafficking. (Representational). All eight species of the docile pangolin, which are native to Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, are now categorised as “vulnerable”, “endangered” or “critically endangered”. Like most pangolins, the species is heavily exploited for the bushmeat and traditional medicine trade. The knowledge of the Baka people, fine guides to the forest, is essential in tracking the fragile and fearful animals. While all four African species of pangolin are present in the CAR and officially protected, the law is very hard to enforce. Her laboratory is also her home, a tiny shack besieged by vegetation, where scientific literature and boxes of medical supplies are packed in between her microscope and a camp bed. "Unlike elephants, pangolins are very difficult to track, and it's rare to be able to arrest poachers in the act," said Luis Arranz, the national park representative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). When threatened, pangolins curl into a defensive position. Their target is the long-tailed pangolin -- a little mammal also called the scaly anteater, which will be lucky to survive to the end of this century. The project is unique in Africa. Pangolin pups are carried on their mother's tail for three months, and remain with them for five months until they are strong enough to live alone. Four species live in Africa, while four are found in Asia. Thanks to my 22,000 Followers. The rest are nocturnal and, relative to their body size, have very small eyes. All eight pangolin species are protected under national and international laws, and two are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. CREDIT: ASSOCIATED PRESS Unfortunately, this practice makes it even easier for humans to capture and smuggle them, as hunters can simply pick up. 5 facts about pangolins - a critically endangered animal that's still valued in TCM 6:06am, 20 Jun, 2018 ... That means the long-tailed pangolin weighs less than 10 per cent of its gargantuan cousin. CREDIT: DAN CHALLENDER Buy Pangolin Art Print by sanjanabaijnath. With their large, curved claws, pangolins are able both to grip on to overhanging tree branches and dig through concrete. Read on for five fascinating facts about these exotic creatures. 42 Likes, 2 Comments - June (@l.june_art) on Instagram: “Back at it with the pangolins! 7) Nobody knows how long they live The ground pangolin got its common name from the Malay (the national language of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia) word 'pengguling', meaning 'rolling up', in reference to the animal's defence mechanism of rolling into a tight, near-impenetrable ball when threatened. 4) The name means 'something that rolls up' ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that these scales relieve various ailments, and help to drain pus. See Pics, How An India-US-Australia-Japan Naval 'Alliance' Would Fight Together. "Here, many people do that," said a local hunter, asking not to be named. Pangolin ♣️Fosterginger.Pinterest.Com♠️ More Pins Like This One At FOSTERGINGER @ PINTEREST No Pin LimitsFollow Me on Instagram @ FOSTERGINGER75 and ART_TEXAS. Фотография Follow FOSTERGINGER@ PINTEREST for more pins like this. 1) There are eight species of pangolin As a result, pangolin scales can sell on the black market for over $3,000 a kilogram, and have even been used to make coats. Gudehus wants to unlock knowledge about their longevity, territory, food, life habits and reproductive cycle. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world. The Dzanga-Sangha National Park, in the far southwest of the CAR, is the last sanctuary for animal life in a poor country ravaged by civil war. 7 facts you should know about Hong Kong's rare and precious pink dolphins. ), For the latest election news, analysis and live updates on Bihar Elections 2020, log on to NDTV.com/elections. New evidence, however, has shown a closer relationship to the Carnivora, a diverse order containing hyenas, bears and wolves. The collection is valued at several hundred thousand euros (dollars). Before we get started though, watch this short video for an…. 3) Pangolins are the only mammals in the world covered in scales World Pangolin Day will be celebrated on 21 February and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness about these fascinating animals and make you aware of their plight. Arboreal pangolins, such as the African long-tailed species, live in trees, while others dig burrows so large a human could stand up in them. 9) Millions have been traded and killed in the last decade //-->