Giant Pangolin[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN) [2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Pholidota Family: Manidae Genus: Manis Species: M. gigantea
Binomial name
Manis gigantea Illiger, 1815

The Giant Pangolin (Manis gigantea) is a pangolin species. Members of the species inhabit Africa with a range stretching along the Equator from west Africa to Uganda. The Giant Pangolin is the largest species of pangolin, or "scaly anteaters" – the large, scaled mammals belonging to the Manidae family. It subsists almost entirely on ants and termites. The species was first described by Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger in 1815. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn2. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex... Species Manis gigantea Manis temmincki Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins are mammals with large scales on their skins which can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. ... Species Manis gigantea Manis temmincki Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins are mammals with large scales on their skins which can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. ... Species Manis gigantea Manis temmincki Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins are mammals with large scales on their skins which can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger (November 19, 1775 - May 1813) was a German entomologist who also worked on birds and mammals. ... Manis redirects here. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... In biology, the range of an species is the geographical area within which that species can be found. ... World map showing the equator in red In tourist areas, the equator is often marked on the sides of roads The equator marked as it crosses Ilhéu das Rolas, in São Tomé and Príncipe. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... Species Manis gigantea Manis temmincki Manis tricuspis Manis tetradactyla Manis crassicaudata Manis pentadactyla Manis javanica Pangolins are mammals with large scales on their skins which can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ant (disambiguation). ... Families Mastotermitidae Kalotermitidae Termopsidae Hodotermitidae Rhinotermitidae Serritermitidae Termitidae Wikispecies has information related to: Isoptera Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. ... Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger (November 19, 1775 - May 1813) was a German entomologist who also worked on birds and mammals. ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ...

Habitat, range, and endangered status

The Giant Pangolin inhabits many countries with the largest concentration in Uganda, Tanzania, and western Kenya. It is found mainly in the savanna, rainforest, and forest, inhabiting areas with large termite populations and available water. The Giant Pangolin does not inhabit high-altitude areas. Savannah redirects here. ... The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. ... This article is about a community of trees. ... Families Mastotermitidae Kalotermitidae Termopsidae Hodotermitidae Rhinotermitidae Serritermitidae Termitidae Wikispecies has information related to: Isoptera Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ...

Due to habitat destruction and deforestation, the species is in great decline, and this together with the hunting of the Giant Pangolin as bushmeat and for the supposed medicinal properties of its scales has led to concerns about population levels. Because the species is nocturnal, few studies have been carried out. Currently the pangolin is classified as a "least concern" by the IUCN. Habitat destruction is a process of land use change in which one habitat-type is removed and replaced with another habitat-type. ... This article is about the process of deforestation in the environment. ... This article is about the hunting of prey by human society. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A bat illustrating nocturnal features. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ...

Physical description

The average mass of the species has not been measured, but one Giant Pangolin was found to weigh 33 kg. Males are larger than females, with male body length about 140 cm and female about 125 cm. It is the largest of all pangolins, taking the name "Giant Pangolin" because of this. The scales are usually colored brown or reddish-brown. Like all pangolins, the species has large, armored scales and no hair except for the eyelashes. The Giant Pangolin has a long snout, a long thick tail, and large front claws. For other uses, see Mass (disambiguation). ... For the 1968 stage production, see Hair (musical), for the 1979 film, see Hair (film). ... An eyelash or simply lash is one of the hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelid. ... A snout is the protruding portion of an animals face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw. ... A scorpion tail The tail is the section at the rear end of an animals body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. ... Cat claw A claw is a curved pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger or, in arthropods, of the tarsus. ...

The animal has a strong sense of smell and large anal glands. Its secretions may be significant to animal communication. The species walks with most of its weight is on its columnar rear legs and curls its front paws, walking on the outside of the wrists rather than the palms to protect the claws. By using its tail for balance, the Giant Pangolin will often walk upright as a biped. Senses are the physiological methods of perception. ... Olfaction (also known as olfactics) refers to the sense of smell. ... Illustration showing the location of the anal glands in a typical dog. ... Secretion is the process of segregating, elaborating, and releasing chemicals from a cell, or a secreted chemical substance or amount of substance. ... Animal communication is any behaviour on the part of one animal that has an effect on the current or future behaviour of another animal. ... For other uses, see Weight (disambiguation). ... In human anatomy, the wrist is the flexible and narrower connection between the forearm and the palm. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Behavior

The Giant Pangolin, like other pangolins, is motile and nocturnal, which makes observation difficult. It is also usually solitary, although in one case an adult Giant Pangolin was seen in a burrow with a juvenile. The species is capable of climbing trees and other objects. Motility is a biological term which refers to the ability to move spontaneously and independently. ... A burrow is a hole or tunnel dug into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct of locomotion. ... Rock climbers on Valkyrie at The Roaches in Staffordshire, England. ... The coniferous Coast Redwood, the tallest tree species on earth. ...

Diet

Like all pangolins, the Giant Pangolin is a specialized insectivore that lacks teeth and the ability to chew. Its diet mainly consists of ants and termites, which the species finds by tearing open anthills and termite nests, both subterranean and mound-type. Any organism with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures is an insectivore. ... Types of teeth Molars are used for grinding up foods Carnassials are used for slicing food. ... Chewing is the process by which food is torn and/or crushed by teeth. ... For other uses, see Ant (disambiguation). ... Families Mastotermitidae Kalotermitidae Termopsidae Hodotermitidae Rhinotermitidae Serritermitidae Termitidae Wikispecies has information related to: Isoptera Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. ... Categories: Stub | Myrmecology ...

Because of its relatively large size, the Giant Pangolin is particularly well-suited to breaking open termite mounds, done by leaning on the mound and resting its weight on its tail, and then ripping into the mound with its front claws. The combination of weight and physical damage quickly leads to a partial collapse of the mound, exposing the termites. It eats the insects by picking them up with its sticky tongue, which is up to 16 inches long. Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

Reproduction

Very little information about the reproduction of the Giant Pangolin is known. Two birth records exist, with one litter in September and another in October, with the young weighing around 500 g. As in all pangolins, infants have soft scales that eventually harden and are born with open eyes. They cannot walk on their legs, but can move on their stomach. For other uses, see Reproduction (disambiguation) Reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... A litter of pigs A litter is a group of newly born, young animals from the same mother and usually from one set of parents. ... For other uses, see Eye (disambiguation). ... In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ...

References

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ...

Sources

• Ciszek, Deborah. "Manis gigantea (giant pangolin)." Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. June 1999. [1]
• "Pangolin." African Wildlife Foundation. [2]

External links

Wikispecies has information related to:

Manis gigantea

• BBC page on the giant pangolin