pangolins
Armor-plated insectivores
Pangolins are scaly mammals found in Africa and Asia, the only mammals covered entirely in keratin scales.
They curl into a ball when threatened and feed almost exclusively on ants and termites.
Pangolins are among the world's most trafficked animals, hunted for their scales and meat despite international protections.
Plates or weighing devices
- keratinStructural hair protein
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- anteaterInsect-lapping mammal
- insectivoreOrganism eating bugs primarily
tongue · burrow · nocturnal · claws · snout · tail · armor · solitary
At risk of extinction
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
illegal trade · bushmeat · traditional medicine · smuggling · wildlife crime · protection · sanctuary · rehabilitation
Ancient Eastern healing system
- folk remedyTraditional unofficial medical treatment
- African folkloreTraditional narratives from Africa
- status symbolItem showing rank
- superstitionBaseless belief in omens
luxury goods · black market · ceremonial · taboo · totemic · consumption · demand · Asia
Allocation across recipients
- rangeExtent of variation
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
- forestTree-dense ecosystem
scales
Plates or weighing devices
- keratinStructural hair protein
- mammalWarm-blooded, milk-producing animal
- anteaterInsect-lapping mammal
insectivore · tongue · burrow · nocturnal · claws · snout · tail · armor · solitary · termites
endangered
At risk of extinction
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- poachingUnlawful wildlife capture
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
extinction · illegal trade · bushmeat · traditional medicine · smuggling · wildlife crime · protection · sanctuary · rehabilitation · confiscation
traditional Chinese medicine
Ancient Eastern healing system
- folk remedyTraditional unofficial medical treatment
- African folkloreTraditional narratives from Africa
- status symbolItem showing rank
superstition · luxury goods · black market · ceremonial · taboo · totemic · consumption · demand · Asia · Africa
distribution
Allocation across recipients
- rangeExtent of variation
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- subtropicalClimate near the tropics
- mammalsbears, bats, sheep, cats, anteater
- rainforeststropical rainforest, canopy layer, forest floor, emergent layer, understory
- nocturnal animalsowls, bats, raccoons, opossums, moths
- hidden animalscryptids, ambush predators, trapdoor spiders, stick insects, leaf insects
- wildlife conservationhabitat protection, game warden, species protection, wildlife officer, wildlife refuges
- Southeast Asian wildlifeorangutan, tigers, elephants, Sumatran tiger, orangutans
pangolinsrats
Long-tailed urban pests
pigeons · cockroaches · house mice · white-tailed deer · coyotes