As soon as I learned that in India there was a pangolin, I immediately set aside material about bears and cats. I really like this animal - a kind of dinosaur, living in our day. To be honest, I think it's some kind of lizard, but it's not. Pangolins, or lizards - a separate unit in a mammal class! In total there are eight species, four in Africa and Asia (once there are more, but most of the species have long been extinct).
In India there are two types of pangolins: Indian pangolins (almost all over the country, Nepal, Pakistan) and China, also known as earded pangolins (north, Assam).
The appearance of all eight similar species, only different sizes. The Indian representative of the detachment has a length of about 50-60 centimeters and a tail of 20-40 centimeters. Their muzzle pointed, the body lengthened, the claws short, the claws big and strong. The whole body, with the exception of the stomach and muzzle, and the tail is covered with dense scales in the form of shingles. It is renewed throughout the life of the animal and serves to protect.
Pangolins do not go well, they can climb trees, but not fast. Indian and Chinese lizards live mainly on the ground, digging holes that can reach 6 meters in depth! The entrance to the burrow is usually flooded with loose soil. But for a long time you can not sit lazily like that - you need food, so the lizards have to get out, where they are in danger. Evolution gave the pangolin an excellent defense mechanism - it curled into a tight ball, exposing the scale. Bun hard unloading is only the main opponent, like a tiger or a lion, but in this case the lizard spews out its last trump card like:like a skunk, the smell of vyprysnet fluid is disgusting.
Pangolins feed mainly on termites and ants. On the day they require up to 2 kg of insects, so if you do not have a termite plantation and do not burn with the desire to collect ants, the lizard will not fit you as a pet. By the way, the beast has a very long and nosy tongue, which is moved by powerful muscles that pass through almost the entire body. His saliva has a sweet smell and is able to attract insects.
They also did not hear very well, even Chinese pangolins, also called eared for appearance. The eyesight of the lizard is poor, the eyes are small, but the aroma is very good, with which they look for ant nest.
Pangolins in all countries are classified as protected species that are under threat of extinction. They are hunted for their meat, scaly skin makes a souvenir for tourists, their own scales in Asian countries enjoy fame as a cure for cancer and asthma.
Superstition reaches the point that the pangolin necklace is given the magical properties of protection from predators or witchcraft attacks. Some craftsmen even take the scales off the skin, sell them to home healers, and skin with a beautiful pattern is allowed to be made. After a trader was caught, transported on board a 10 tonne of lizard meat. Knowing that the heaviest representation reaches a maximum weight of 30 kg, it is easy to calculate how many animals are destroyed.
The exact number of pangolins is, of course, unknown - it is difficult to estimate wild, nocturnal, wild populations hiding during the day and in deep holes or basins, as African species. Of course, deforestation and environmental damage in general also greatly affect them, as well as all wildlife. I hope that with the efforts of all the states, it will be possible to save this dragon, reminding us of the dreadful lizards of the prehistoric era.
