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Ground pangolin (Manis temminckii)
The ground pangolin is one of four species of pangolins which can be found in Africa, and the only one in southern and eastern Africa. With the exception of the underside, it is covered in extremely hard scales composed of keratin, the same material that forms human hair and
fingernails.
When threatened, it usually will roll up into a ball thus protecting
its vulnerable belly. The scales on the tail can also be used as blades
to slash at attackers. The ground pangolin can grow to a length of about 1 m, with the tail typically between 30 and 50 cm. Capable of walking on two legs, the ground pangolin walks on its hindlegs when searching for food while using its forelegs and tail for
balance. Like other pangolin species it is largely nocturnal, although it is also entirely terrestrial, and usually found in savanna or open woodland. It is well adapted to a diet of ants and termites, possessing a keen
sense of smell and a very long (up to 50 cm) sticky tongue that extends
deep into its abdominal cavity. Although it is capable of digging its
own burrow, the ground pangolin prefers to occupy those abandoned by warthogs or aardvarks or to lie in dense vegetation, making it even more difficult to observe. The ground pangolin is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.
photo credits: wiki, wiki, Callie de Wet, Neil Gray, bioweb
