Pangolins in the Congo
Pangolins are toothless mammals covered in scales that feed mainly on insects. They are often called “scaly anteaters” because of their appearance and diet. The eight species of pangolins are distributed in Asia and Africa, particularly in the forests of the Republic of Congo.
Pangolins are threatened by loss of their natural habitat and illegal hunting for their meat and scales, which are considered traditional medicine in some Asian cultures. Because of this demand, they fall prey to a very lucrative illegal trade.
Pangolins are currently considered one of the most trafficked animals in the world, with thousands captured and sold each year. In response to this threat, many organizations are working to protect pangolins by monitoring their habitat, combating illegal trade, and raising awareness of their plight.
In 2016, all pangolin species were classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Urgent conservation measures are needed to protect these fascinating animals that are essential to their ecosystem.
What are the eight species of pangolins?
There are eight species of pangolins, all of which fall into two different genera.
The genus Manis includes four species: The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla); The Himalayan pangolin (Manis crassicaudata); The Javan pangolin (Manis javanica); The Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis).
The genus Phataginus includes four species: The short-tailed pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis); Temminck’s pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla); The West African pangolin (Phataginus africanus); The giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) – formerly called the long-tailed pangolin
All pangolin species are endangered due to the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal hunting for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional Asian medicine. The protection of pangolins has therefore become a major concern for the conservation of biodiversity.
All pangolin species are endangered due to the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal hunting for their meat and scales, which are used in traditional Asian medicine. The protection of pangolins has therefore become a major concern for the conservation of biodiversity.
Where do they live?
They tend to live in forested habitats, but they can also be found in other habitats, such as savannahs and grasslands. Pangolins are generally nocturnal and solitary, although they can sometimes be seen in small groups.
When can we observe it?
They are nocturnal animals and therefore tend to be more active at night. This makes them difficult for most people to observe. Additionally, due to their increasingly endangered status, it is increasingly rare to see pangolins in the wild.
However, pangolins can be seen in some areas of Africa and Asia where they are protected in nature reserves or national parks. In these areas, visitors may have the opportunity to see pangolins in their natural habitat, often accompanied by an experienced guide or ranger to help them find them.
It is important to note that even in these protected areas, observing pangolins can be difficult as they are very shy and often hide during the day. Additionally, it is important to follow conservation rules in place to protect these animals, which may include restrictions on viewing and direct contact with pangolins.
How do pangolins feed?
They are insectivorous animals and feed mainly on ants and termites. They use their long sticky tongue to catch the insects, which are then eaten whole.
The pangolin has a unique structure in their body to facilitate their diet. Their stomachs are indeed equipped with very powerful muscles which allow them to grind insects into a soft porridge. They also have a very slow digestive system, which allows them to maximize the absorption of nutrients from their food.
Due to their specialized diet, they play an important role in ecosystems by regulating insect populations. However, the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal hunting threaten the survival of these animals, which can have negative consequences on the ecosystems in which they live.
What are the characteristics of the pangolin?
The pangolin is a toothless mammal covered in scales.
Here are some of their distinguishing features:
The pangolin has a body covered with keratinized scales, which are very similar to those of human fingernails or rhinoceros horns.
It has a long sticky tongue, which can reach up to 40 centimeters in length, which they use to catch ants and termites.
The pangolin has powerful claws on their front paws which allow them to dig into termite mounds and ant nests to grab their food.
It has a muscular prehensile tail, which allows them to cling to branches and protect themselves from predators.
Having weak vision, their sense of smell and hearing are highly developed to compensate.
It can roll up into a ball to protect itself in case of danger. Their keratinized scales give them excellent protection against predators.
It is a solitary and nocturnal animal.
Due to their unique appearance and specialized adaptations, the pangolin is among the most fascinating and remarkable animals on the planet.
How do pangolins communicate?
Pangolins communicate mainly through vocalizations and smells. Although they are usually solitary, they can sometimes make sounds to signal their presence to other pangolins.
They have anal glands that produce a scent substance, which is used to mark their territory and communicate with others. This substance is also used to ward off predators.
Mothers can communicate with their young by making soft sounds and using body movements to encourage them to follow.
Although communication is mainly based on olfactory and sound signals, recent studies have also shown that pangolins have a limited capacity for visual communication, using in particular posture and tail movement signals to communicate with other conspecifics.
How does it reproduce?
The pangolin reproduces sexually and females carry young in their uterus for about 3-5 months before giving birth.
It does not have a specific breeding season, but breeding can vary depending on food availability and environmental conditions. Female pangolins can give birth to one or two cubs at a time.
Small pangolins are born blind and without scales, and are completely dependent on their mother for food and protection. The young begin to develop their scales from the second week after birth.
The pangolin has slow reproduction and a long gestation period, low offspring and slow growth, which makes them vulnerable to hunting and destruction of their natural habitat. This vulnerability has contributed to their current increasingly threatened status and the need for conservation action to protect these unique animals.
How to observe pangolin during safari cruises in Congo?
During walks in the forest, it is quite possible to meet a pangolin. In the Nouabalé-Ndoki park, on many occasions, we have crossed the road of Pangolins during walks in the forest.
