Description
Male white-bellied pangolins are typically slightly larger than females.
White-bellied pangolins have small pointed heads with thick eyelids that protect their eyes from bites from the ants and termites on which they feed.
They have long tongues that are anchored to a point on the pelvis and which they can extend to around 9.8 in. They do not have teeth but they ingest small stones and sand that grind food in their gizzard-like stomachs.
Their bodies are covered by tough three-cusped keratin scales except for most of their faces, their undersides and the inside surfaces of their legs. Their scales range in color from dark brown to russet to brownish yellow and typically comprise around 15% of their body weight.
They have large curved claws which they use when climbing trees and when attacking anthills and termite mounds.
They have long broad prehensile tails which are bare at the tips (which assists in gripping).
Status in the Wild
Listed as "endangered" on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
Conservation Programs