By Emi Gruender
With a shy disposition in stark contrast to their tough outer layer, pangolins might just be the cutest animals on earth. They look like sullen henchmen approaching their evil overlord to tell them, “Sir… The prisoners… they’ve escaped!”
Pangolins, known by their nickname “scaly anteaters,” are often found in the rainforests and grasslands of both Asia and Africa. These adorable little creatures are the only scaly mammal on earth, with scales made of keratin— the same material that our fingernails are made of. When frightened, they roll up into a tight ball like an armadillo, rendering their hide impenetrable to possible predators. They can also release stinky gas from a specialized gland to scare off predators.
These adorable creatures can range between 12-39 inches long, and are active mostly during the nighttime. Unfortunately, they are the most trafficked non-human animals on earth, as their scales are highly coveted for their medicinal properties. Just within 2017-2019, over 270 tons of African pangolin scales were confiscated across Asia.
Because of their seclusive and shy nature, scientists don’t have an accurate reading of how many pangolins are left in the wild, but their numbers have taken a devastating hit. They are officially classified as threatened with extinction, with three species critically endangered.
Without pangolins, habitats would fall into disarray, as the ecosystem depends upon the pangolins to keep the termite population under control. Due to illegal poaching, these creatures are dangerously close to extinction. Though you most likely have not heard of pangolins until today, I ask you to support in any way you can– please protect pangolins.