Sunda pangolins are the most widely distributed pangolin species in Asia, ranging across much of Southeast Asia. Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) All these species are protected by national and international laws. The Sunda pangolin is one of four Asian species. There are … Distinguishing characteristics: The Sunda pangolin is the most widely distributed species of pangolin in Southeast Asia. Like other pangolin species, Sunda pangolins are hunted for their skin, scales, and meat, used in clothing manufacture and traditional medicine. An endangered sunda pangolin at the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Center in Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam. The pangolin is one of those creatures.’ There are currently only eight living species of pangolin, four in Asia and four in sub-Saharan Africa. Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark Animals Reference What is a pangolin? The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), also known as the Malayan or Javan pangolin, is a species of pangolin. How many pangolins are killed each year? While its geographic range overlaps with that of the Chinese pangolin , it can be distinguished by fewer rows of scales across the back, shorter forelimb claws, and … Why are Sunda pangolins endangered? Etymology. Also called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet, pangolins are increasingly victims of illegal wildlife crime. However, the modern name in Standard Malay is tenggiling; whereas in Indonesian it is trenggiling; and in the Philippine languages it is goling, tanggiling, or balintong (with the same meaning).. Though its alternative name is scaly anteater these animals are actually more closely related to carnivores. The Chinese pangolin is distributed across southern China, Southeast Asia and into Nepal and Bangladesh, while the Sunda pangolin’s range extends further south into Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Scales are made into rings as charms against rheumatic fever, and meat is eaten by indigenous peoples. The name pangolin comes from the Malay word pengguling, meaning "one who rolls up".