Exotic animals can be found on the expanses of the African continent and in Southeast Asia. The pangolins got their name from the Malay word, which literally means "folding into a ball." It is not yet possible to accurately trace the lizard genealogy, but the first fossil remains were found in Paleogene sediments. In our short review, the most beautiful pangolins are presented, which practically have not changed their appearance since the prehistoric era.
1
Chinese Raptor / Manis pentadactyla
Mammals with a bronze color live in the moist forests in northern India, in China, among the pastures and meadows of Myanmar. A small population settled in the eastern Himalayas.
Adults reach a length of up to 60 cm, and weigh from 3 to 7 kg. It differs from other species by developed auricles, for which it is often called eared pangolin. But during the hunt relies more on the sense of smell.
They lead a nocturnal lifestyle and try to avoid meeting a person. They move on the ground, but in moments of danger they try to take refuge in trees. Due to hunting, their number is sharply reduced, and therefore the Chinese lizards have received the status of an endangered species.
2
Indian Raptor / Manis crassicaudata
A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF [CC BY-SA]
Nocturnal animal settled in the foothills and plains of Nepal, India, Pakistan. Lived the island of Sri Lanka. They have a characteristic yellowish-gray color of their scales.
They reach a length of 45 to 75 cm, and the tail grows to 40 cm. The whole body is covered with slender rows of scales that perform a protective function. Food is captured in a long tongue, as they lack teeth.
They hunt at night, and during the day they prefer to hide in holes or among rocks. In soft soil, the depth of burrows reaches 6 meters. In Sri Lanka, perfectly adapted to hunt trees. Many countries in Southeast Asia are protected, and hunting is prohibited.
3
Javanese pangolin / Manis javanica
Photo by: nachbarnebenan [Public domain]
The range of settlement of the bronze lizard covered most of the islands of Southeast Asia. Smaller representatives are found in Java and Sumatra than in Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Javanese lizard has powerful claws with which it easily tears the earth in search of its favorite treat. It feeds on ants, termites. They lead a terrestrial way of life, but have learned to freely climb trees.
Females bring descendants once a year. The number is sharply declining, although the authorities are conducting measures for the artificial breeding of this species. The United States was the largest customer for the supply of meat and scales of this type in the early 1980s.
4
Steppe Raptor / Manis temminckii
Because of their habitat, they are also called shroud lizards. It received its scientific name in honor of the famous zoologist Konrad Jacob Temmink.
Body length 80 cm, of which the majority, up to 35 cm, is the tail. The lack of teeth makes it easy to hunt for ants and other insects. Captures the victim with a sticky long tongue. Like a kangaroo, they can easily move around the steppes on their hind legs.
This beautiful view populated the territory of Southeast Africa. Females give birth to one, rarely two cubs. Deep holes are dug in the ground, in which a large chamber is equipped. In such cameras, according to most-beauty, an adult can easily fit.
5
Long-tailed pangolin / Phataginus tetradactyla
A long tail, growing to 70 cm, allows these dinosaurs to lead a woody lifestyle. Settled in equatorial Africa, spending most of its life on tree branches.
In addition to swamp forests, settle on agricultural land. The tenacious tail easily clings to the branches. Hunt ants, termites and other invertebrates. They have four-fingered paws, which is why these lizards are also called four-fingered pangolins.
This species was first discovered and described by Karl Linney in 1766. In addition to wildlife, it is found in conservation areas. A large population lives in the Ituri Nature Reserve.
6
White-bellied Raptor / Manis tricuspis
The smallest of the pangolins lives in Central and West Africa. For life, he chooses moist forests, low-lying savannahs and agricultural land.
Adults do not grow more than 44 cm. The whole body, except the abdomen, is covered with protective scales. Received its name because of the white color of the skin on the abdomen. Lives on trees, and on the ground moves on its hind legs. At the same time, the forelimbs are pressed to the chest, and the tail serves as a balance to maintain balance.
After the birth of the cub, the female takes care of him. To protect it wears it on itself, helps to master the external environment. It is considered an endangered species and hunting is prohibited.
7
Philippine Raptor / Manis culionensis
Photo by: Shukran888 / wikipedia.org
You can meet this type of pangolin only on some islands that are located in the Philippine province of Palawan. Scientists-zoologists suggest that in ancient times this species came from a common root with the Malaysian pangolin.
Like everything, basically leads a nocturnal lifestyle, hunting for ants, insects, termites. The endemic of the province of Palawan grows no more than 50 cm in length. Most of the body is occupied by the tail, with the help of which the animal moves through the trees.
The number is small, and therefore the authorities of the Philippines accepted the status of a guard animal for this beautiful and unusual resident of the islands.
8
American pangolin / Patriomanis americana
The only species known in North America. A fossil species inhabited the United States about 38 million years ago.
Paleontologists discovered the skeleton of this lizard in the late 1980s in Wyoming. Later, in Montana, the remains of several more individuals were found. Scientists managed to recreate the shape and lifestyle of the animal using the preserved bones.
The scientific world was surprised that the appearance of the pangolins remained virtually unchanged from the Eocene era. They also climbed the branches of trees, walked on the ground on their hind legs. They ate ants and other social insects.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is a fascinating article about dinosaur fossils that have remained frozen in time.
9
Giant Raptor / Manis gigantea
The largest representative of the pangolin detachment, growing up to 140 cm in length. This is the length of the males, but the females are shorter, only 125 cm. It is because of the gigantic size that the lizard got its name.
Settled along the equator in the west of the African continent, having chosen forests and savannahs. The whole body is covered with thick scales that protect the animal from enemies. From other types they are distinguished by the presence of eyelashes. In other species, such a component is absent in the body structure.
Lead a nocturnal lifestyle. In search of food, they use the sense of smell. They are single, but once zoologists discovered a pair of giant pangolins with a small cub.
Summary
Doctors have found that amazing lizards can be intermediate carriers of the dangerous coronavirus. Because of this, zoologists fear that this could provoke thoughtless destruction of a rare animal. In total, 8 species live in the wild. Their number is already small, and therefore it is necessary to preserve this wonderful representative of the wild, so that the life of the ancient pangolins does not end with the fault of man.
A few more photos of the pangolins:
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