One of the 6 pangolins on WAnimals
Mammals · Pholidota · Manidae
Indian Pangolin
Manis crassicaudata
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
The Indian pangolin is a pholidote mammal found in many parts of India and some parts of Sri Lanka. Like other pangolins it is characterised by the large, overlapping scales on its body, which act as armour. It can also curl into a ball to defend itself from predators such as the tiger. It is an insectivore, feeding on ants and termites that it reaches by opening their nests with its powerful long claws. It lives mainly in burrows and climbs trees. It is also regarded as a curious animal and is killed to make high-value medicines.
Weight
8 kg – 16 kg
Size
60 cm – 75 cm
Life expectancy
19 years
