Tree pangolin

White-bellied pangolin ( Manis tricuspis ), San Diego Zoo.

The white-bellied pangolin ( Manis tricuspis or Phataginus tricuspis ) is a mammal of the family of pangolins ( Manidae ). It lives in the central Africa.

Features

White-bellied pangolin among the smallest pangolins. They reach a body length 37-44 centimeters, the tail is about 40 to 50 inches long. The weight is 1.8 to 2.4 kilograms. Like all pangolins are the top of the head, the back and the flanks, the outer sides of the limbs (though not the forearms ) and the tail with horny scales covered. The scales are colored gray to dark brown and have three peaks, of which the specific epithet derives tricuspis. The skin that is visible, for example, the unprotected belly is white in color. The front feet carry large grave claws, the hind feet have claws on. The head is constructed very simply, as in all pangolins and toothless, the tongue very long.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution of white-bellied pangolin extends from Senegal to Kenya and south to Angola and Mozambique. Their habitat is forests, mainly rain forests.

Way of life

White-bellied pangolin are nocturnal and are among the most distinctive tree dwellers within the pangolins. They climb with their claws and with its tail, which also acts as a prehensile tail and body weight can bear alone. When resting places serve them tree hollows.

They live solitary and mark their home range with the secretion of their anal glands. The territories of the females are small and do not overlap, the territories of males are much larger and overlap with those of several females. Outside the mating season occurs between males and females at best, but only brief encounters.

Their diet consists mainly of tree-dwelling ants, in addition they also take termites to himself. With the claws of the front feet, they can break the tree bark, with its long, sticky tongue they take their prey to him. They have no teeth and grind their prey with the stomach.

Threat

Little is known about the level of danger of the white belly scales animal. The IUCN lists the species as though unharmed, but that is out of date. Probably represent the hunting for their meat and their scales, which have healing powers awarded, and habitat destruction through deforestation dar. the main threats

System

The closest relative of the white belly scales animal is the long-tailed pangolin, which is sometimes classified in the same genus or subgenus ( Phataginus ). It divides the tree-dwelling lifestyle of the white-bellied pangolin, but has a longer tail and a dark skin color.