TREE PANGOLIN
Manis tricuspis
DESCRIPTION
The tree pangolin, or Manis tricuspis, is a medium-sized pangolin characterized by its elongated body covered in hard, overlapping scales made of keratin. It has a long, prehensile tail that aids in climbing and a snout that is well-adapted for foraging. Tree pangolins are primarily arboreal, spending much of their time in trees, where they use their sharp claws to climb and search for food.
FUN FACTS
- Pangolins are the only mammals wholly covered in scales, which are made of keratin, the same material as human nails
- This unique adaptation helps protect them from predators, but it also makes them a target for poachers who seek their scales for traditional medicine and fashion
- | Tree pangolins have a specialized tongue that can extend up to 16 inches long, allowing them to reach deep into ant and termite mounds
- Their tongues are not attached to their jawbones, which gives them the flexibility to extract insects efficiently without damaging their mouths
QUICK INFO
Lifespan10-15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivi
Average Weight8-15 kg
Average Length60-80 cm
Diet TypeInsectivore
Social Structuresolitary, typically living alone except during mating season
Activity PatternNocturnal
Breeding SeasonYear-round, with peaks depending on the region
- Habitat
- Tree pangolins inhabit tropical and subtropical forests, often favoring areas with dense vegetation. They are well-adapted to life in the trees, where they find both food and shelter.
- Biomes
- Tropical Rainforest, Subtropical Forest
- Native Range
- Tree pangolins are native to Central and West Africa, found in countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Continent
- Africa
- Countries
- Cameroon, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Republic of the Congo
- Diet
- Tree pangolins primarily feed on ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongues to extract insects from nests. They may also consume some plant matter occasionally.
- Diet Type
- Insectivore
- Favorite Food
- ants, termites
- Social Structure
- solitary, typically living alone except during mating season
- Activity Pattern
- Nocturnal
- Group Size
- 1
- Territorial
- 0
LC
8-15 kg
Weight
60-80 cm
Length
- Coloration
- The scales of the tree pangolin are typically brown or tan, providing camouflage against the forest floor.
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivi
- Gestation Period
- 130-150 days
- Offspring per Birth
- 1
- Sexual Maturity
- 2-3 years
- Breeding Season
- Year-round, with peaks depending on the region
EN
Endangered
IUCN Red List Status
- Population Status
- The population of tree pangolins is currently declining due to habitat loss and poaching.
- Wild Population Estimate
- Unknown, but believed to be decreasing
- Population Trend
- Decreasing
- Endangered
- 1
- Threats
- The main threats to tree pangolins include habitat destruction due to logging and agricultural expansion, as well as poaching for their scales and meat. They are often targeted in illegal wildlife trade.
- Conservation Program
- Various local and international conservation efforts are underway to protect pangolins, including habitat preservation and anti-poaching initiatives.
- Predators
- Natural predators include large birds of prey and carnivorous mammals such as leopards and hyenas, although adult pangolins have few natural enemies due to their tough scales.
- Defense Mechanisms
- When threatened, tree pangolins can curl into a tight ball, using their hard scales as armor against predators.
- Found in Zoos
- Uncommon