The true cost of pangolin trafficking

One Planet News! How trafficking for traditional Chinese medicine is taking pangolins to the brink

By Annette J Beveridge

PANGOLIN scales can treat a variety of human ailments from infertility to circulation issues - that’s according to traditional Chinese medicine. These claims are just not true and the ‘miracle’ scales are made up of keratin, the same as our fingernails or hair.

A Pangolin needs its scales far more than we do. The scales form a much-needed protective armour against predators. Although these healing claims are false, this has not stopped poachers from killing the animals or stopped people from purchasing these so-called health remedies.

Pangolins have been greatly persecuted for many years and many pangolin species are now critically endangered.

Most pangolins are nocturnal and secretive. They live solitary lives. Some pangolin species sleep in burrows, others sleep in trees. With strong front legs and claws, the pangolin tunnels underground using its tail and rear legs for balance. Dirt is scraped back and vigorously kicked away from the entrance hole landing a metre or more away.

Diet

Pangolins feast on ants and termites and have a long, sticky tongue which, when fully extended, can reach almost half of its body length. These are unusual-looking animals, with a small head and no teeth, and their eyesight is also poor. Keratinous spines extend into the stomach and, in addition to small stones, it enables prey to be mashed for digestion.

These animals shuffle along and balance on the outer edges of their forefeet. The claws are tucked under as they walk and each paw has five toes and three long, curved claws designed perfectly for attacking ants or termites nests.

Habitat

Habitat varies. Pangolins are found in savannah grasslands, tropical and flooded forests, thick dense undergrowth as well as in cultivated areas. A loss of habitat is affecting Asian pangolins in addition to being caught for traditional medicines.

Pangolins often sleep in circular chambers underground. In fact, some burrows and chambers have been big enough for a person to enter.

They supplement the usual food source of ants and termites with earthworms, crickets, flies, or bee larvae. They locate food through a heightened sense of smell, and with an insatiable appetite, may consume more than 70 million insects during one year.

Pangolins have special muscles that seal their nostrils and ears shut. This protects them from insects defending their territory. Once prey has been drawn into the mouth, special muscles prevent ants or termites from escaping.

Defence methods

The scales provide good defence against predatory animals and when threatened, the pangolins curl into a ball to protect their vulnerable underside. They will lash out with their tails and hiss and puff at predators.

But pangolin defence is not good protection against poaching….