The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), thick-tailed pangolin or scaly anteater is a pangolin found in the plains and hills of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and some parts of Pakistan. It is not common anywhere in its range. Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on the body which act as armour. It can also curl itself into a ball as self defense against predators such as the tiger. The colour of its scales varies depending on the colour of the earth in its surroundings.^[3] It is an insectivore that feeds on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs using its long claws, which are as long as its forelimbs. It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.

It is hunted for its meat, which is considered tasty, and for making medicinal oil.^[4]

In Kerala, it is known as eenampechi. In Sinhala, it is called kaballewa and in Tamil azhungu or alangu.^[5]

Description

Manis crassicaudata has a head-body length of 51–75 cm, a tail length of 33–47 cm and a weight of 10–16 kg. Females have one pair of mammae, and are smaller than the males. The head of this animal is cone-shaped and the muzzle is long. The nose pad colour is similar to, or slightly darker than, the pinkish-brown skin. The eyes of this animal are small and the irises are dark. The massive, scaled armour of this animal, which covers its upper face and its whole body, does not cover the belly and inner side of the legs. M. crassicaudata has 160-200 scales in total (of which 40-46% are located on the tail) and the large scales can reach 6.5–7 cm long, 8.5 cm wide and weigh 7-10 grams; the skin and scales constitute about one-fourth to one-third of the total body mass of this species.

Habitat

M. crassicaudata has been recorded from various forest types, including Sri Lankan rainforest and plain to middle hill levels. The animal can also be found in grasslands and secondary forests which have been impacted by humans. Wherever it lives, there must be an abundant source of termites, which are its primary food source. This pangolin species may also sometimes reach high elevations; there have been sightings at 1100 m and 2300 m in Sri Lanka and the Nilgiris in India, respectively. This species is believed to have a tolerance to dry areas, because it has been seen in arid thorn forests in Pakistan.

Diet

The Indian pandolin is almost entirely insectivorous. The diet includes beetles, cockroaches, termites and possibly worms. This pangolin feeds on eggs, larvae, and adults, but eggs are the preferred choice. As it is nocturnal, it uses its sense of smell when digging to reach nests or mounds and when foraging. When these pangolins forage, they mostly do it on the ground, but, as seen in the rainforest canopy of Sri Lanka, arboreal ants may be preyed upon. They tear apart and dig into mounds by using their three centre claws on their fore feet. The animal uses its hind feet to throw loose soil backwards. When digging deep into or under mounds, they move out backwards to expel soil with their fore feet. When feeding, the pangolin's rostral part of the tongue is quickly inserted and withdrawn to capture prey. This movement is also used for drinking.

Reproduction

The breeding details of M. crassicaudata are very poorly known. During the animal's mating period, females and males may share the same burrow and show some diurnal activities. Males have testes in a fold of the skin located in their groin areas. The female's embryo develops in one of the uterine horns. The gestation period lasts 65–70 days; the placenta is diffuse and not deciduate. Usually, a single young is born, but twins have been reported in this species. The young weigh 235-400 g at birth and they measure roughly 30 cm. The newborn animals have open eyes, ans soft scales with protruding hairs between them. The mother pangolin carries her young on her tail. When the mother and young are disturbed, the young pangolin is held against its mother's belly and protected by the mother's tail.

Behavior

Manis crassicaudata is solitary, mostly nocturnal and terrestrial. In habitats such as Sri Lankan rainforests, they may be more arboreal, using their claws and prehensile tails as supports to readjust forelegs as they climb. These pangolins dig their own burrows in the ground, at depths of 1.5–6 m, these are frequently under large rocks and the entrance is often hidden with soil. When in danger, they roll up into balls, their large tails are pressed tightly against their faces and belly to help protect themselves. Longevity of this animal in captivity can exceed 19 years.

These pangolins are not often observed in the wild due to their solitary, secretive and nocturnal nature. A loud emission of a hissing sound has been reported when they are frightened or angry. M. crassicaudata possesses anal glands which emit a strong and musky-smelling yellow fluid, possibly used for marking or defense.

Conservation status

M. crassicaudata is suspected to be in significant decline due to hunting for traditional medicine and food. Although these pangolins are protected by national legislation in many protected areas throughout their range, they are heavily exploited for their meat and their supposed magical or medicinal properties. The scales are used as an aphrodisiac, or made into rings or charms. The skins are used to manufacture leather goods, including boots and shoes. Although this pangolin is mainly consumed locally, it may soon be at risk to international trade when it becomes the more available option. The two other Asian species of pangolins, Manis javanica and Manis pentadactyla, are declining due to the market for them in Chinese traditional medicine.

Pictures

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Manis crassicaudata