Chinese Pangolin
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Mammals
- Dietary Niche: Insectivore (Termites, ants)
- Max Speed: 8 km/h (5 mph)
- Adult Weight: 2 - 7 kg (4.4 - 15 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 10 - 15 years
- Primary Habitat: Subtropical deciduous forests, bamboo groves, grasslands
- Native Region: Southern Asia (China, India, Southeast Asia)
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Pholidota |
| Family | Manidae |
| Genus | Manis |
| Species Binomial | Manis pentadactyla |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Pangolin is the only mammal covered in hard keratin scales. When threatened, they roll into a tight armored ball, but they are currently the most heavily trafficked wild mammal in the world.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Covered in overlapping yellowish-brown scales made of keratin. Features a small head, a long snout, strong claws for digging, and no teeth.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Nocturnal and solitary. They spend days inside deep underground burrows and are skilled climbers.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Dig into termite mounds, using a long sticky tongue that is anchored to their pelvis to capture insects.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Gestation is 5 months. A single pup is born with soft scales that harden quickly, riding on the mother's tail for 3 months.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Critically Endangered. Threatened with extinction due to illegal poaching for their scales (used in traditional medicine) and meat.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- A pangolin's scales make up about 20% of its total body weight.
- Their tongues are longer than their bodies, extending up to 40 cm (16 inches) from their chest cavity.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Chinese Pangolin.
The Chinese Pangolin is scientifically classified as Manis pentadactyla. It belongs to the genus Manis within the family Manidae, class Mammalia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Chinese Pangolins inhabit Subtropical deciduous forests, bamboo groves, grasslands. Their native geographic range primarily spans Southern Asia (China, India, Southeast Asia).
The Chinese Pangolin is classified as a Insectivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Subtropical deciduous forests, bamboo groves, grasslands.
A Chinese Pangolin can achieve top speeds of 8 km/h (5 mph) and weighs approximately 2 - 7 kg (4.4 - 15 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 10 - 15 years.
The Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is currently designated as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) Species Profile."
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