Indian Pangolin

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Indian Pangolin[1]

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pholidota
Family: Manidae
Genus: Manis
Species: M. crassicaudata
Binomial name
Manis crassicaudata
Gray, 1827

The Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is a pangolin that is found in many parts of India and some parts of Sri Lanka. Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on the body which act like armour. It can also curl itself into a ball as self defence against predators such as the Tiger. It is an insectivore and feeds on ants and termites, digging them out of their mounds using its long claws that are as long as its forelimbs. It lives mainly in burrows and is known to climb trees. It is also considered to be a curious animal and has been killed for so-called medicinal value.

[edit] References

Wikispecies has information related to:
  1. ^ Schlitter, Duane A. (2005-11-16). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 530. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ Pangolin Specialist Group (1996). Manis crassicaudata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.