pangolin

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Toothless mammal of tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. They are long-tailed and covered with large, overlapping scales, except on the muzzle, sides of the head, throat, chest, and belly. They have an elongated skull and a long, extensible tongue. Pangolins measure 30–100 cm/12–39 in long, exclusive of the prehensile tail, which is about twice as long as the body.

Some are arboreal and others are terrestrial. All live on ants and termites. Pangolins comprise the order Pholidota. There is only one genus (Manis) and family Manidae, with seven species.

The lower gums of the mouth form two thickened horny ridges separated by a groove along which the cylindrical wormlike tongue slips in and out. The feet are strongly clawed, especially on the third toe of the forefoot, which is used in burrowing and in climbing. The extreme tip of the tail is free from scales and padded with thick skin. To deter predators, a powerful stench is emitted by the entire surface of the skin, and its bony overlapping scales protect it when it rolls up into a ball.

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