Among the eight species of pangolins in the world, Hong Kong is lucky to have one, Chinese Pangolin, that calls this city home. The species predominantly inhabits woodlands and is nocturnal. It uses its front claws to dig up burrows where it relaxes during the day, and only leaves its home to venture and look for food at night. The creature uses its long sticky tongue to prey on ants and termites. As pangolins are rare, solitary and elusive, you would be very privileged to encounter one in the wild.

A startled Chinese Pangolin will cover its head with its front legs and curl into a ball, exposing only its sturdy scales. These scaly mammals are often mistaken for reptiles. However, if you look closely, you will find some hair bristles between the scales. Another key mammal characteristic they display is the nursing of young with milk produced from their mammary glands. Females generally give birth to only one pup a year and take care of the young until they can live independently. Local researchers once captured an adorable scene of a mummy pangolin giving her baby a piggyback ride!

The full armour of scales, however, cannot protect pangolins from the threat of extinction. Their peculiar appearance and rarity are the reasons they are desired as a luxurious delicacy in some cultures. Their scales, made of the same keratinous substance as human nails, are claimed to be of medicinal value. As a result, all pangolin species are over-harvested and heavily traded to the brink of extinction, making them known as 'the most trafficked animals in the world'.

Family Manidae
Scientific Name Manis pentadactyla
Adult Size 45–60 cm in length (head to body)
Habitat Woodlands
IUCN Red List Status Critically Endangered

Other Species