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Scaly Anteaters

Short answer: Pangolins are mammals of the order Pholidota, covered in overlapping scales made of keratin. There are eight living species, four in Africa and four in Asia.

They are mostly nocturnal and use strong claws to dig into ant and termite nests, catching insects with a long, sticky tongue; they have no teeth. When threatened, a pangolin curls into a tight ball protected by its scales. Pangolins are widely reported as among the most trafficked mammals in the world, hunted for their meat and scales, and all eight species were listed on CITES Appendix I in 2016, banning international commercial trade. The footage shows pangolins foraging and curling up, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Scaly Anteaters?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Pangolin scales are made of keratin.

    DD-141-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Keratin scales)

  2. Four species are African and four Asian.

    DD-141-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Eight species)

Video transcript: Scaly Anteaters: Pangolins Roll Into a Ball of Keratin Scales

Pangolins, sometimes referred to as scaly anteaters, are distinctive mammals with protective keratin scales covering their bodies. DID YOU KNOW? found in parts of Africa and Asia, these nocturnal creatures are well adapted for a life of digging and feeding on ants and termites? Pangolins are known for their unique defense mechanism. When threatened, they roll into a tight, armored ball, providing a shield of scales against potential predators. Unfortunately, pangolins face serious threats due to illegal wildlife trafficking, driven by demand for their scales. Despite international efforts to protect them, pangolins remain one of the most trafficked animals globally. Conservation initiatives aim to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these intriguing creatures. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 36.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonScaly Anteaters · Instagram Reel
Scaly Anteaters: Pangolins Roll Into a Ball of Keratin Scales Instagram Reel · · 36.5s

The write-up

Pangolins roll into a ball of keratin scales. They're often called scaly anteaters, but they aren't anteaters.

  1. Exhibit A

    Keratin scales

    Pangolin scales are made of keratin.

  2. Exhibit B

    Eight species

    Four species are African and four Asian.

  3. Exhibit C

    No teeth

    They eat ants and termites with a sticky tongue.

  4. Exhibit D

    Rolling up

    A threatened pangolin curls into a ball.

  5. Exhibit E

    CITES 2016

    All eight species were listed on CITES Appendix I in 2016.

Questions people ask about Scaly Anteaters

What are pangolin scales made of?

The same protein as hair and nails.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Keratin scales) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

How many living pangolin species are there?

Four African, four Asian.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Eight species) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

What do pangolins eat?

With a long, sticky tongue.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (No teeth) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

What does a threatened pangolin do?

Its scales protect it.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Rolling up) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

When were all pangolins listed on CITES Appendix I?

Banning international commercial trade.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (CITES 2016) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What are pangolin scales made of?

    1. Keratin
    2. Bone
    3. Shell
    4. Chitin
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Keratin The same protein as hair and nails. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Keratin scales) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

  2. How many living pangolin species are there?

    1. Eight
    2. One
    3. Twenty
    4. Three
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Eight Four African, four Asian. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Eight species) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

  3. What do pangolins eat?

    1. Ants and termites
    2. Fish
    3. Fruit only
    4. Grass
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Ants and termites With a long, sticky tongue. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (No teeth) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

  4. What does a threatened pangolin do?

    1. Rolls into a ball
    2. Climbs a tree and sings
    3. Sprays ink
    4. Runs at 50 mph
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Rolls into a ball Its scales protect it. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Rolling up) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

  5. When were all pangolins listed on CITES Appendix I?

    1. 2016
    2. 1975
    3. 1999
    4. 2023
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2016 Banning international commercial trade. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (CITES 2016) · Wikipedia: Pangolin

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Scaly Anteaters." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-141, last updated Dec 25, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/scaly-anteaters/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/scaly-anteaters/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-141-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/scaly-anteaters/#DD-141-F01