Long-tailed pangolin

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Long-tailed pangolin[1]
Stuffed specimen
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pholidota
Family: Manidae
Genus: Manis
Species: M. tetradactyla
Binomial name
Manis tetradactyla
Linnaeus, 1766
Long-tailed pangolin range

The long-tailed pangolin (Manis tetradactyla), also called the black-bellied pangolin or ipi,[3] is an arboreal pangolin belonging to the family Manidae-

Description

Manis tetradactyla showing its long tail
Manis tetradactyla has a characteristic very long tail (hence its common name), reaching a length of about 60–70 cm (24–28 in). The body can reach a length of 30–40 cm (12–16 in) and weigh 2 to 3 lb.

Even with the long tail, this species is the smallest pangolin. As with other pangolins, the long-tailed pangolin is covered with overlapping scales, in this case a dark brown color with a brighter rim, which serves as camouflage. The feet have large claws. The tip of the tail is bare and is used to grip branches. The head is built very simply and without teeth, while the tongue is very long. The abdomen is covered in dark fur instead of scales. This pangolin is a nocturnal insectivore. With the claws of the front feet, it can break the bark of the trees, with the long sticky tongue it take prey. Its diet consists mainly of tree-dwelling ants, as well as termites.

Distribution and habitat

This species is native to the sub-Saharan forests of Africa, mainly rain forests. It is widespread from Senegal to Uganda and south to Angola in the southwest.

Drawing

Bibliography

  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0-8018-5789-9
  • Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Hrsg.): Mammal Species of the World. 3. Ausgabe. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4.

References

  1. ↑ Schlitter, D. A. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 531. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. 
  2. ↑ Pangolin Specialist Group (1996). Manis tetradactyla. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  3. ↑ Dictionary.die.net

External links


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