Hey, everyone! Recently, I asked you to choose between a polar bear, a sloth, and a pangolin, and the winner is… pangolins! Let’s dive into why these creatures are so fascinating.
Pangolins are one of my favorite animals, and there are a few reasons why. First, it’s surprising to have a pangolin in our collection because they usually live in Africa and tropical parts of Asia. Having one here in Montana is quite rare and exciting!
Another reason I love pangolins is their unique look. They have some fun nicknames like “walking artichokes” or “anteater pine cones” because of their appearance. Their bodies are covered in scales made of keratin, which is the same stuff as our hair and nails. These scales act like armor, protecting them from predators, except for their soft bellies. When threatened, pangolins can curl up into a ball, using their long, serrated tails for defense.
Pangolins are also cool because they can walk on two legs! They have big claws on their front legs, but they don’t use them for fighting. Instead, they tuck their claws under their bodies and use their tails to balance as they walk, giving them a charming waddle. These claws are perfect for digging into termite and ant mounds.
Did you know a single pangolin can eat up to 70 million ants in a year? They have super long tongues that help them reach deep into anthills. Their tongues are so long that they attach to their pelvis! Pangolins don’t have teeth, so they swallow small rocks to help grind up the ants in their stomachs.
Even though pangolins mainly eat ants, they aren’t classified as “anteaters.” They belong to their own special group of animals. Unfortunately, pangolins face big challenges because people hunt them for their meat, which is considered a delicacy. Their scales are also used in traditional medicine, even though they don’t have any real medicinal value. This has led to a decline in their population.
With more awareness, we can help protect these incredible creatures. Pangolins are truly amazing, and I hope to see one in person someday—alive and well!
Design a colorful poster that highlights the unique features of pangolins. Include facts about their scales, diet, and how they protect themselves. Use drawings or printed images to make your poster visually appealing. Share your poster with the class to spread awareness about these fascinating creatures.
Try to mimic how a pangolin moves! Practice walking on two legs with your arms tucked in, just like a pangolin uses its claws. Use a long stick or a piece of fabric as a tail to help you balance. This activity will help you understand how pangolins move and balance in the wild.
Imagine you are a pangolin trying to eat ants. Use a long straw to pick up small objects like beads or pieces of paper, representing ants. See how many you can collect in one minute. This will give you an idea of how pangolins use their long tongues to catch ants.
Research the challenges pangolins face and what is being done to protect them. Create a short presentation or video to share with your classmates. Discuss why it’s important to conserve pangolins and how everyone can help in their protection.
Write a short story or comic strip about a day in the life of a pangolin. Include their unique behaviors and the challenges they face. Share your story with the class to help others learn more about these amazing animals in a fun and creative way.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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*Humming* Hey, everyone! The other night, I asked you on social media to choose between a polar bear, a sloth, and a pangolin, and the winner is… sloths! Just kidding, the title of the episode is pangolins.
I often get questions about my favorite specimen in the collection, and after much thought, I concluded that it is probably the pangolin. There are several reasons for this. First, I’m surprised we have one in our collection, as pangolins are typically found in parts of Africa and various tropical regions of Asia. The fact that we have one in Montana is quite unusual and really exciting.
Another reason I like pangolins is their unique appearance. They have several common names, sometimes referred to as “the walking artichoke” or “anteater pine cones,” which reflect their look. They are covered in keratin scales, which are modified hair and nails. This armor protects their bodies, except for their soft bellies, acting as a defense against predators. They have long tails that they can curl over their heads when threatened, and they can curl up into a ball for protection. The scales on their tails are serrated, allowing them to use their tails as a defense mechanism.
I also appreciate that pangolins are among the few mammals that walk bipedally. They have formidable-looking claws on their forelimbs, but they don’t use them for fighting. Their claws are somewhat brittle, so they tuck them under their bodies when they walk, using their tails for balance, which gives them a charming appearance. They use these claws to dig into termite and ant mounds. A single pangolin can consume up to 70 million ants annually, thanks to their long tongues, which are the longest relative to body size of any mammal. Their tongues are so long that they have muscle attachments to their pelvis, allowing them to reach deep into anthills to feed. They don’t have teeth, so they ingest rocks and other hard materials to help grind up the ants in their stomachs.
Although they primarily eat ants, pangolins are not classified as “anteaters” and belong to a different order than giant anteaters or armadillos. They are quite unique and are in their own order.
Currently, pangolins are not listed as threatened or endangered, but they face significant challenges due to poaching and illegal trafficking. Their meat is considered a delicacy, leading to unrestricted hunting. Additionally, their keratin scales are used in traditional medicine, despite having no medicinal value. This misconception contributes to their declining populations.
However, with increased awareness, we can hopefully change this situation because pangolins are incredible creatures, and I would love to see one in person—alive, of course!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Pangolin – A mammal that has a body covered with protective scales and feeds mainly on ants and termites. – The pangolin uses its long tongue to catch ants and termites for food.
Africa – A continent that is home to diverse ecosystems and many unique species, including the African elephant and the pangolin. – Africa is known for its vast savannas where many wild animals roam freely.
Asia – A continent that has a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to deserts, and is home to many species, including the Asian elephant and the pangolin. – In Asia, the dense jungles provide a perfect habitat for many different animals.
Scales – Small, hard plates that cover the skin of certain animals, like pangolins, providing protection from predators. – The scales of a pangolin are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails.
Predators – Animals that hunt and eat other animals for food. – Lions are predators that often hunt in groups to catch their prey.
Claws – Sharp, curved nails on the feet of some animals, used for digging, climbing, or catching prey. – The pangolin uses its strong claws to dig into ant hills and termite mounds.
Ants – Small insects that live in colonies and are a primary food source for pangolins. – Ants work together in large groups to build their nests and find food.
Endangered – A term used to describe a species that is at risk of becoming extinct. – The pangolin is considered an endangered species due to illegal hunting and habitat loss.
Population – The number of individuals of a particular species living in a specific area. – Scientists study the population of elephants in Africa to help protect them from poaching.
Medicine – Substances used to treat illness and promote health, sometimes derived from plants and animals. – Some traditional medicines use plant extracts to help heal wounds and reduce pain.
