Chinese Pangolin By: Vandita Garimella Hour 8 Mrs. Zhou’s Class

Introduction  Status: Endangered  Scientific Name: Manis pentadactyla  Nickname: Scaly Anteater  The word “Pangolin” is derived from the Malayan word “roller”  Belongs to the burrowing family

Description  Body: Elongated, very long, flat, and tall  Skin: Soft off-white underside of face  Scales covering the body help protect the Chinese Pangolin from predators  Head: smaller head compared to eyes  Ears: External ears

Habitat  Mostly found in:  Tropical forests  Coniferous forests  Bamboo forests  Grasslands  Agricultural fields  Countries found in:  Chinese provinces south of the Yangtze river  Taiwan  Northern India  Vietnam  Nepal  Bangladesh  Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Map

Reproduction  Mostly solitary  Mating process:  Occurs during late summer and early autumn  Fighting between male and female results in one victorious win of one pangolin and female mates with male  Gestation period: 3-5 months  Give birth to single offspring during springtime  Offspring reach maturity at 1 year of age and can mate Mothers usually carry newborn pangolins on their backs, although they can walk on its very first day.

Diet Pangolins eat mostly ants and termites

Energy Levels  The Chinese Pangolin is a 2 nd level consumer Plants produce proteins Producer Plants Ants and Termites Chinese Pangolin 1 nd level consumer 2 nd level consumer Ants and Termites consume proteins Chinese Pangolins consume ants and termites as a source of protein and food

Producers Plants 1 nd level consumer Ants and Termites 2 nd level consumer Chinese Pangolin Humans Third level consumer

Predator/Prey Relationships  The major predators of the Chinese Pangolin are humans  Pangolins are predators to ants and termites, because they are 2 nd level consumers  The scales cannot be eaten by any animals

Population  Only little information available  Not enough research on species by scientists on population densities or global population  Current data suggest that there is a decreasing trend in population Number of Pangolins in an area Year Number of Pangolins

Limiting Factors Affecting Pangolin Population  Space  Deterioration of available habitat by human deforestation  Food:  Pangolins can usually adapt well to new habitats, but need an abundant source of termites or ants

Factors in the habitat of a Chinese Pangolin Biotic Factors  Ants and Termites  Chinese Pangolin  Grass on forest floor  Worms and Bacteria in the forest- 1 ST level consumers Abiotic Factors  Water from lakes  Sunlight  Oxygen  Temperature-mild climate  Soil- forest floor

Adaptations  The Chinese Pangolin is adapted to the diet of ants and termites  Claws:  Measure up to 5 cm  Used to rip open termite and ant nests  Tongue  Long and thin tongue  Measure up to 40 cm  Used to scoop up prey into its toothless mouth

Threats/Human Interactions  Most hunted for meat, which is considered a delicacy  Scales and skin are used to scratch mosquito bites  Ground into powder  Powder is used for antiseptic properties and an ability to cure skin diseases  Main threat: hunting

Justification for Butterfly Species  It plays a big role in its environment, benefiting both animals and humans.  Without the Chinese Pangolin, populations of ants and termites will be overflowed.  The pangolin keeps a steady birth and death rate between these populations, which are helpful to humans.  They can reduce the number of ant and termite infestations in houses, yet providing themselves with food as well.

Fun Facts  The scales on a pangolin are formed through fused hair  The scales of a pangolin make up 25% of their total body weight  The Chinese pangolin relies on smell, not its vision, to find prey  Pangolins have no teeth!  Pangolins walk on their knuckles

Bibliography  "Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla)." iNaturalist.org. UC Berkely School of Communication. Web. 31 Jan  Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). WILDSCREEN, n.d. Web. 30 Jan pangolin/manis-pentadactyla/ pangolin/manis-pentadactyla/  "Pangolin." African Wildlife Foundation. African Wildlife Foundation. Web. 30 Jan  "Chinese Pangolin." WWF India. WWF India. Web. 30 Jan nown_species/chinese_pangolin/ nown_species/chinese_pangolin/  "Chinese Pangolin (Manis Pentadactyla)." iNaturalist.org. UC Berkely School of Communication. Web. 31 Jan