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The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a small to medium sized mammal, reaching a total length of about 90 cm, and a weight of 3–5 kg, but individuals may weigh more than 8 kg. The species is distributed in East Asia and parts of northern Southeast and South Asia, inhabiting primary and secondary tropical forest, limestone, bamboo, mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest, hill forest, grasslands and agricultural fields. Nocturnal and solitary, the species predates primarily on ants but also termites, and digs burrows in order to find prey and for shelter. There is little quantitative data on populations, but there have been severe declines in China and parts of mainland Southeast Asia, and declines are suspected across the species’ range. The Chinese pangolin is threatened by overexploitation, and is hunted and poached for local consumption and international use, and is trafficked to countries including China. Habitat loss is also a threat. |
