Ground pangolin

Steppe pangolin

The Steppe pangolin ( Manis temminckii or Smutsia temminckii ) is a mammal of the family of pangolins ( Manidae ). It lives in eastern and southern Africa.

Features

Steppe pangolin, like all pangolins with horny scales covered that are yellow colored gray to dark brown and in juveniles in adult animals on the top of the head, back and flanks, on the outer sides of the limbs and tail. The unprotected skin (for example, on the belly ) is white and covered with dark hair. The front feet have large claws grave, the hind feet bear claws also. The head is constructed very simply, as in all pangolins and toothless, the tongue very long. They reach a body length of about 40 to 70 centimeters, the tail is approximately equal in length. The weight is 7-18 kilograms.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Steppe pangolin extends from Chad and Sudan via Kenya and Tanzania to Namibia and northern South Africa. It is not choosy in terms of its habitat and is found in forests in bush -covered grasslands and savannas.

Way of life

Steppe pangolin are nocturnal ground dwellers usually. During the day they rest in burrows that they have dug themselves or taken from other animals, at night they go looking for food. They live solitary in the rule, and should mark their home ranges with Analdrüsensekret.

The movement is done either by relying on the outer edges of the front legs to avoid wear on the sharp claws grave, or they move only on its hind legs continued. Here, the strong tail serves as a balance. In case of threat they can be rolled up into a ball, which is also due to the sharp edges of the horny scales hardly break.

The food of the giant pangolins consists mainly of ants and termites. With the large grave claws of the front feet they break their burrows and with its long, sticky tongue they take their prey to him. The eyes, ears and nostrils can close this to avoid ingress of insects. They have no teeth and grind their prey with the stomach.

During the mating period, there is fierce fighting between the males for mating privilege. After a 140 - day gestation, the female gives then a single young is born. Newborns have soft scales that harden only in the first days of life. They spend their first few weeks in a protected building, later they ride on the tail of the mother. With about three months, they eat solid food.

Threat

About the level of danger of the Steppe pangolin is little known because of its nocturnal lifestyle. It is hunted for its meat and his shed, where healing powers are attributed. Add to this the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN lists the species as though unharmed, but that is out of date.

System

The Steppe pangolin, together with the giant pangolin, the subgenus Smutsia within the pangolin, sometimes elevated to the rank of a separate genus. Smutsia considered as sister group of all other pangolins.