Pholidota is an order of mammals whose living members, commonly called pangolins or scaly anteaters, are covered in overlapping keratin scales. The single living family, Manidae, comprises three genera, Manis in Asia and Phataginus and Smutsia in sub-Saharan Africa, historically counted as eight living species with a ninth reported in 2023 from confiscated scales alone; pangolins are among the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Geographic DistributionManis comprises five species found in Asia, while Phataginus and Smutsia include two species each, all found in sub-Saharan Africa. 1 Defining CharacteristicsPangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists mainly of ants and termites, which they capture using their long tongues. 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceMarked by large, hardened, overlapping, plate-like scales, soft on newborn pangolins but hardening as the animal matures. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Pangolin (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead section, first sentence
Pangolins, also called scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota ().
Lead section, third paragraph
Pangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites, which they capture using their long tongues.
Description section, first sentence
The physical appearance of a pangolin is marked by large, hardened, overlapping, plate-like scales, which are soft on newborn pangolins, but harden as the animal matures.
Lead section, first paragraph
Manis comprises five species found in Asia, while Phataginus and Smutsia include two species each, all found in sub-Saharan Africa.
View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life- Parent Taxon Of: Pangolin
- Parent Taxon Of: Sunda Pangolin
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