Pangolins

Pangolins are amazing animals covered in hard scales. They are the only mammals in the world with scales like a fish or reptile. Pangolins live in Africa and Asia. They eat ants and termites using their long, sticky tongue.

Scaly Armor

A pangolin's scales are made of keratin, the same stuff as your fingernails. The scales protect the pangolin from predators like lions. When scared, a pangolin rolls up into a tight ball. Even a big cat cannot bite through the tough scales. The name pangolin comes from a word that means 'one who rolls up.'

Long Tongue

Pangolins have a very long and sticky tongue. Their tongue can be longer than their whole body. They use it to slurp up ants and termites from their nests. Pangolins do not have teeth. Instead, they swallow small stones that help grind up the bugs in their stomach.

Fun Facts

• A pangolin can eat up to 70 million insects in one year.
• There are eight kinds of pangolins in the world.
• Pangolins are sometimes called scaly anteaters.

Did You Know?

Pangolins are one of the most endangered animals on Earth. Many people around the world are working hard to save them from disappearing.