Where Do Pangolin Live

Where Do Pangolin Live 

Pangolin is a mammal. Eight species of pangolins inhabit Africa and Asia. Four species which inhabit in Asia are Chinese pangolin, Indian pangolin, Sunda pangolin and Philippin pangolin. Other four species that inhabit in Africa are Giant pangolin, white-bellied pangolin, Ground pangolin and black-bellied pangolin. African pangolin species are found throughout the 15 African countries. 

Pangolins prefer to live in tropical and flooded forests, cultivated areas, grasslands, thick brush forests, dry woodland, where they can get their sufficient food. 

Pangolins are easily recognized by their large, sharp keratin scales which act as armors and protect them from predators. When they are touched or threatened, they quickly roll up their bodies and become like a hard ball. 

Pangolin belongs to family Manidae. These nocturnal animals mainly eat ants and termites and catch their prey with their long sticky tongue. They are monogenous and meet only with mate. The female pangolin gives birth one to three babies. Females are smaller than male pangolins in size. 

Eight species of pangolins are found on the earth. The eight species are- 

1. Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) 

2. White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) 

3. Giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) 

4. Black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) 

5. Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) 

6. Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis) 

7. Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) 

8. Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) 

Where do Indian Pangolins Live? 

The Indian pangolin or thick-tailed pangolin is found in Indian subcontinent. They are also found in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. They can live in forest and grasslands as well as desert or dry areas. They like to live in the places with soft semi-sandy soil. 

Where do Philippine Pangolins Live? 

Philippine pangolins are native to Philippine. Philippine pangolins are found mainly in Palwan province and Culion. They live in primary and secondary forest and also the surrounding grasslands. 

Where do Chinese Pangolins Live? 

Chinese pangolins live in the forest and also in the grasslands such as primary and secondary tropical forests, coniferous forests, bamboo forests and also in agricultural field. They are found in southern China, southeast Asia, Nepal, north India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Hinan island and also Taiwan. 

Where do Sunda Pangolins Live? 

Sunda pangolin is native to Asia. They are found in Southeast Asia, mainly in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Java, Malaysia, Borneo islands and Sumatra. They prefer to live in primary and secondary forests as well as gardens and agricultural fields of oil palm and rubber. 

Where do Giant Pangolins Live? 

Giant pangolin is native to Africa. They are found in eastern and southern Africa. Their range extends from Sudan and north-eastern Chad to South Africa. Giant pangolins prefer to live in woodlands and savanna. 

Where do White-bellied Pangolins live? 

White-bellied pangolin is endemic to Africa. They live in Central Africa as well as West Africa and also found in northern Angola, Zambia, Kenya, northern Tanzania and from Guinea through Sierra Leone. White-bellied pangolins prefer to live in lowlands, tropical primary and secondary moist forests, savanna as well as cultivated and fallow lands. 

Where do Ground Pangolins Live? 

Ground pangolin is native to Africa and are found in savanna and woodlands where annual rainfall is 250mm to 1400mm. It is the only species that found in South Africa. Ground pangolins are found in Natal, Transvaal and Cape province. 

Where do Black-bellied pangolins Live? 

Black-bellied pangolins endemic to central and western Africa. They live in Senegal, Uganda and Angola as well as in Guinean forests and Congo Basin. Black-bellied pangolins prefer to live in swamp, tropical forests, thick bush and agricultural areas. As an arboreal, the Black-bellied pangolin likes to spend its time in the canopy region and interior part of forests. 

 

Pangolins are hunted by the poachers for their scales and meat. Their body parts are used in making Chinese traditional medicines so the pangolins become the world’s most trafficked mammals. They are threatened due to massive deforestation, leading to the loss of their habitats.  

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the three species such as Sunda pangolin, Philippine pangolin and Chinese pangolin as critically endangered. The other three species such as White-bellied pangolin, Indian pangolin and Giant ground pangolin are listed as endangered species and other two species, Black-bellied pangolin and Giant pangolin are vulnerable. But now they are protected under national and international law.