Do you know the Pangolin, the most trafficked animal in the world? In the fantastic kingdom of nature we find species worthy of amazement. Exotic trees, flowers and animals dazzle anyone who is interested in discovering the infinite beauties of planet Earth. We have all marveled at the imposing figure of the lions, the unconditional friendship of the dogs or the swimming agility of the fish.
But, in addition to them, there are really curious animals, which are the obsessions of researchers. It is enough to remember the red panda or the funny frog of the desert rain to verify it. However, today in Supercurioso, we have decided to tell you the story of one of those animals in danger of extinction, which is subjected to the unconscious action of man, becoming the most trafficked animal in the world. Join us to learn what a pangolin is and why they persecute it.
What is a Pangolin?
To talk about what a pangolin is is to refer to one of the most curious and adorable animals on the entire planet. Let us begin by saying that it belongs to the order of leaflets. It is the only mammal with scales, a characteristic that gives it a distant resemblance to the armadillo, though they have nothing to do with each other. Eight species of pangolins are known in the world, all in danger of extinction.
The most trafficked animal in the world lives in the tropical zones of Asia (those of the genus Manis) and Africa (those of the genus Phataginus). Asian pangolins stand out because they have external ears and scales under their tails.
His name, from the Malay penggulingmeans roller either something that rolls. This nickname refers to his ability to roll up when he feels attacked. These scales are long, hard and plate-shaped, something truly unusual among mammals. Some describe them as “artichokes with legs”, so you can get an idea.
The characteristics of the pangolin
1. How do you protect yourself?
An element that defines what a pangolin is and how it behaves is that they roll up into a ball when they feel threatened, and their scales then look like gleaming protective armor.
On the other hand, this creature has short, powerful legs with sharp claws, which it uses to dig through hardened earth. But if necessary, it also defends itself with them, being able to break a human leg with a single blow.
Another defense strategy is emitting a fetid acid, which exhales thanks to glands near the anus, similar to the one secreted by skunks or skunks. Too bad that so much defense capacity has not protected it more effectively from human greed.
2. Your size
The size of the most trafficked animal in the world ranges from 65 centimeters, in the smallest species, up to 1.76 meters in the largest, being its very long tail, which reaches half of its body or sometimes the same size. They usually carry their young on it.
3. How does the Pangolin live?
It is also important to mention that there are species of pangolins that are terrestrial, such as the giant African pangolin, which lives in open areas and digs its burrows in the middle of the savannah. There are other species, such as the Chinese, which are arboreal and use their long tail to help climb the trees.
A characteristic that defines well what a pangolin is is that almost all species are nocturnal, although there are some, very few, that are diurnal. This has made it difficult to study their behavior, their habits and their reproduction. In this regard, it is known that females they usually give birth to a single calfand who live either alone or with a partner.
4. Your diet
It is also known that they feed on insectsand for this they use their vigorous claws to break the termite mounds, and their very long tongue to catch them, impregnated with a sticky saliva.
They don’t have teeth, so they don’t know how to chew; therefore they accumulate stones in their stomach, which help them to grind what they eat. In one year it can consume up to seven million ants and termites!
Why is it the most trafficked animal in the world?
Talking about what a pangolin is is also talking about the most trafficked animal in the world. It surpasses the hunting of elephants for ivory tusks and even the hunting of wild parrots to be sold as pets.
The main reason why this curious animal is being illegally hunted and traded in such an atrocious way is its peculiar scales. These are believed to be powerful remedies for everything, from cancer to boils, and that have magical properties.
There are also those who say that their blood is an aphrodisiac (and in some restaurants in Vietnam they are served alive to cut their throats at the table, in order to drink it as fresh as possible) and their meat is a delicacy.
The kilo of scales of the most trafficked animal in the world is sold at the outlandish price of 1,500 dollars, in stores “specialized” in traditional medicine, knowing the sellers that it is an illegal activity.
His meat in restaurants can cost as much as $250 a kilo. And, like the worms in mezcal and other animals, pangolins are animals used to make liquor. Bottles of rice wine with tiny pangolins inside are for sale. $200 a bottle!
Twenty or thirty years ago, talking about what the pangolin is was not associated with the risk of extinction, since they were very common animals in the Vietnamese forests. But the current reality is that they have been disappearing uncontrollably and rapidly, due to the excessive action of traffickers who hunt them by the ton, alive or dead (although alive they are more valuable), and sell them fresh, frozen, gutted and without skin.
More than 100 thousand pangolins a year are taken to countries like China, Malaysia or Indonesia. Specimens in Southeast Asia are disappearing and so attention now turns to those in Africa.
Any protection initiative?
Very few, unfortunately for the most trafficked animal in the world. In Vietnam there is an NGO called Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (“Save the wildlife of Vietnam”) that collaborates with the Department of Forest Protection of Vietnam. They have managed to capture one or another gang of smugglers, accused by other rival gangs, but the truth is that Virtually nothing has been done to stop the sale of pangolins.
When specimens are confiscated, they are taken to a rescue center in the Cuc Phuong National Park, south of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.. But pangolins do not know how to live in captivity and usually die. In addition, since so little is known about them, their conservation is difficult. Only six zoos in the world have a specimen. Perhaps that is why in the West little has been heard of this beautiful creature, plagued by human ambition and unconsciousness.
And you, Did you know what a pangolin is? Did you know that because of its scales, its blood and its meat, it has become the most trafficked animal in the world? Without a doubt, human action has a great capacity to destroy. Let us always inspire the ability to build. We leave you with this selection of the best environmental protection phrases.
Curiosities of the Pangolin in video
If you are one of those who prefer audiovisual resources, do not miss this video in which we summarize and tell you some curiosities about this animal