While scales are common among fish and reptiles, such as snakes and crocodiles, their presence on a mammal is exceptionally rare. This distinctive feature challenges common perceptions of mammalian characteristics, which typically include fur or hair.
The Unique Scaled Mammal: The Pangolin
The pangolin is the only mammal covered in scales. These unique creatures are nocturnal and solitary, found across various regions of Asia and Africa. There are eight recognized species of pangolins, four in Asia and four in Africa, each varying slightly in size and appearance. They possess an elongated body, a relatively small head with a long snout, and are entirely covered by their characteristic scales.
Anatomy and Purpose of Their Scales
The pangolin’s scales are its most defining feature, covering almost its entire body, except for the underside. These protective plates are composed of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails, hair, and animal horns. The scales are arranged in an overlapping pattern, resembling a pine cone, and can constitute up to 20 percent of the pangolin’s body weight. This armor serves as a defense mechanism against predators. When threatened, a pangolin instinctively rolls into a tight, armored ball, shielding its vulnerable soft underbelly. The sharp edges of their scales can injure attackers. Newborn pangolins have soft scales that harden shortly after birth, developing into robust protection as they mature.
Life and Conservation of the Pangolin
Pangolins are insectivorous, relying on a diet of ants and termites, which they capture using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue. Lacking teeth, they use powerful claws to dig into insect nests and consume small stones to aid digestion in their gizzard-like stomach. Their appetite for insects helps regulate ant and termite populations, contributing to ecosystem balance.
Despite their defenses, all eight pangolin species are threatened with extinction. They are the most trafficked mammals in the world, primarily due to illegal wildlife trade. Pangolins are poached for their meat, a delicacy in some cultures, and their scales, wrongly believed to possess medicinal properties in traditional Asian medicine.
These medicinal claims lack scientific evidence, as the scales are simply keratin. Global conservation efforts are underway, with all pangolin species listed under CITES Appendix I, prohibiting international commercial trade. Ongoing demand continues to fuel illegal trafficking, highlighting the need for continued protection and public awareness.