In News: A Pangolin was rescued from the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
Pangolin
Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
Pangolins are scaly anteater mammals and they have large, protective keratin scales covering their skin.
They are the only known mammals with this feature.
Insectivore- Pangolins are nocturnal, and their diet consists of mainly ants and termites
Habitat – Indian Pangolin – It is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East.
Chinese Pangolin – found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, and North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.
Difference between Indian and Chinese Pangolin
Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered by 11-13 rows of scales on the back.
A terminal scale is also present on the lower side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
Status
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
IUCN Red List: Indian Pangolin – Endangered; Chinese Pangolin – critically endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Threats
Hunting and poaching for local consumptive use and international trade for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.
They are believed to be the world’s most trafficked mammal
