Fauna
Mammal

Chinese Pangolin

Manis pentadactyla

Also known as Scaly Anteater, Formosan Pangolin

Chinese pangolins are solitary, nocturnal mammals renowned for their protective armor of overlapping keratin scales. They use powerful front claws to excavate deep subterranean burrows for sleeping and dig into underground nests to feed on ants and termites with a long, sticky tongue. When threatened, they roll into an impenetrable ball and release a pungent secretion from specialized anal glands.

NocturnalBurrowingScaly
Chinese Pangolin reference1 / 4
(c) chiuluan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAnts, Termites, Insect larvae
Predators
  • Tigers
  • Leopards
  • Pythons
ThreatsPoaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss
HabitatsSubtropical forests, bamboo thickets, and agricultural areas
Life span15–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyManidae
  2. SpeciesManis pentadactyla
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Rolls into a tight ball when threatened; powerful digging claws can scratch if handled.
What to notice
Recognized by brown keratin scales, a tapered snout, and a small, heavy-set body.
Support conservation
Keep a safe distance, do not disclose specific location data, and report suspected poaching.
Responsible observation
  • Observe quietly: Use low light or red illumination during night walks to avoid startling nocturnal foragers.
  • Report sightings responsibly: Turn off geotagging on photos to protect local populations from illegal harvesting.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…