Indian Pangolin

Indian Pangolin
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Pholidota
Family:	Manidae
Genus:	Manis
Species:	M. crassicaudata
Binomial name
Manis crassicaudata Gray, 1827

Introduction

The Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), "Thick-tailed Pangolin" or ”Scaly Ant-eater” is a pangolin that is found in the plains and hills of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and some parts of Pakistan. It is not common anywhere in its range. Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on the body which act like an armour. It can also curl itself into a ball as self defense against predators such as the tiger. Its colour of its scales varies and depends on the colour of the earth in its surroundings. It is an insectivore that feeds on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and tree-logs using its long claws, which are as long as its forelimbs. It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.

It is hunted for its meat, which is considered tasty, and for making medicinal oil.

In Kerala, it is known as "Eenampechi". In Sinhala it is called ”Kaballewa” and in Tamil ”Azhungu” or "Alangu"

Notes on Description

Manis crassicaudata has a head-body length of 51-75 cm, a tail length of 33-47 cm and a weight of 10-16 kg. They have one pair of mammae. The females are smaller than the males. The head of this animal is cone-shaped and the muzzle is long. Their nose pad colour is similar to, or slightly darker than, their pinky-brown skin. The eyes of this animal are small and their irises are dark. The massive scaled armour of this animal, which covers its upper face and its whole body, do not cover the the belly and inner side of the legs of this animal. "Manis crassicaudata" has 160-200 scales in total (of which 40-46% are located on the tail) and the large scales on this pangolin reach 6.5-7 cm long, 8.5 cm wide and weigh 7-10 grams; the skin and scales constitute about one-fourth to one-third of the total body mass of this species.

Habitat

Manis crassicaudata has been recorded from various forest types, including Sri Lankan rainforest and plain to middle hill levels. The animal can also be found in grasslands and secondary forests which have been impacted by humans. Wherever Manis crassicaudata lives, there must be an abundant source of termites, which are the pangolin's primary food source. This pangolin species may also sometimes reach high elevations, there having been sightings at 1100 m and 2300 m in Sri Lanka and the Nilgiris in India, respectively. It is believed this species has a tolerance to dessication, due to the fact that it has been seen in arid thorn forests in Pakistan.

Feeding and Food

"Manis crassicaudata" is almost entirely myrmecophagous, in other words, it mainly consumes insects. These include beetles, cockroaches, termites and possibly worms. This pangolin feeds on eggs, larvae, young and adults, but eggs are the preferred choice. As Manis crassicaudata is nocturnal, it uses its sense of smell when digging to reach nests or mounds and when foraging. When these pangolins forage, they mostly do it on the ground, but, as seen in the rainforest canopy of Sri Lanka, arboreal ants may be preyed upon. They tear apart and dig into mounds by using their three centre claws on their forefeet. The animal uses its hindfeet to throw loose soil backwards. When digging deep into or under mounds, they moves out backwards to expel soil with their forefeet. When feeding, the pangolin's rostral part of the tongue is quickly inserted and withdrawn, which means this animal can capture prey. This movement is also used for drinking.

Breeding

The breeding details of "Manis crassicaudata" are very poorly known. We know that during the animal's mating period, females and males may share the same burrow and show some diurnal activities. Males have testes in a fold of the skin located in their groin. The female's embryo develops into one of the uterine horns. The gestation of "Manis Crassicaudata" goes on for 65-70 days; the placenta is diffuse and non-deciduate. Usually, a single young is born, but there have been twins reported in this species. The young weigh 235-400 g at birth and they measure roughly 30 cm. The newborn animals have open eyes, scales that are soft and protruding hairs between these scales. The mother pangolin carries her young on her tail. When the mother and young are disturbed, the young pangolin is held against his or her mother's belly and protected by the mother's tail.

Patterns of Activity

"Manis crassicaudata" is solitary, mostly nocturnal and terrestrial. In habitats such as Sri Lankan rainforests, they may be more arboreal, using their claws and prehensile tails as supports to readjust forelegs as they climb. These pangolins dig their own burrows in the ground, at depths of 1.5-6 m, these are frequently under large rocks and the entrance is often hidden with dirt. When in danger, these pangolins roll up into balls, their large tails are pressed tightly against their faces and belly to help protect themselves. Longevity of this animal in captivity can exceed 19 years.

Social organization, Home range and Movements

These pangolins are not often observed in the wild due to their solitary, secretive and nocturnal nature. A loud emission of a hissing sound has been reported when the pangolins are frightened or angry. Manis crassicaudata possesses anal glands which emit a strong and musky smelling yellow fluid, this is possibly used for marking or defense.

Conservation and Status

"Manis crassicaudata" is suspected to be in significant decline due to hunting for traditional medicine and food. Although these pangolins are protected by national legislation which is present in many protected areas throughout their range, they are heavily exploited for their meat and their supposed magical or medicinal properties. The scales of "Manis crassicaudata" are used as an aphrodisiac, or made into rings or charms. The skins are used to manufacture leather goods, including boots and shoes. Although this pangolin is mainly consumed in local areas, because the two other Asian species of pangolin, Manis javanica and Manis pentadactyla, are declining due to the market of Chinese traditional medicine, "Manis crassicaudata" may soon be at risk to international trade when it becomes the more available option.

Pictures

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•