|
|
|
| Profile |
| Scientific
name: |
Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla |
| English
name: |
Formosan pangolin, Chinese pangolin |
| Common
name: |
Taiwan pangolin |
|
| Features: |
The
Formosan pangolin has a body and trunk that is 44-56cm long
and a tail approximately 31-35cm in length. Each has a cone-shaped
head, a tapering, pointed snout, no teeth, and a tongue that
can extend as long as 20cm. With the exception of their snout,
belly, and the inner sides of their four limbs, their entire
body is covered with thick chitinous scales. Formosan pangolins
have small eyes with black irises and a light red belly. |
| Behavior:
|
The
Formosan pangolin is a shy, slow animal that walks about with
its head slightly lowered, back bent, and tail raised a bit
off the ground. A nocturnal animal that prefers dry weather,
they usually dig burrows and stay underground in mixed forests
or virgin broad-leaved forests in the vicinity of clearings.
They are insectivores, feeding primarily on ants and other
insects found on the ground; often, they will use their front
claws to dig up ant nests and then lick up the scattering
ants with their long, sticky tongues. Formosan pangolins are
skillful tree climbers and can also roll themselves into a
ball for defense. |
| Habitat: |
Formosan
pangolins are an endemic subspecies to Taiwan frequently found
in mountainous regions ranging from foothills to high mountains
at elevations above 2000m, as well as in broad-leaved forests
or secondary forests at 300-500m elevations. |
|
|
|