Temminck's Ground Pangolin

About the Temminck's Ground Pangolin

The ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), also known as Temminck's pangolin, Cape pangolin or steppe pangolin is a species of pangolin from genus Smutsia of subfamily Smutsiinae the within family Manidae. It is one of four species of pangolins which can be found in Africa, and the only one in southern and eastern Africa. The animal was named for the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck.

Pangolins are almost completely covered in overlapping, protective scales, which makes up about 20% of their body weight. The scales are composed of keratin, the same material that forms human hair and fingernails, and give pangolins an appearance similar to a pinecone or artichoke. The underside of a pangolin is not covered with scales, but sparse fur, instead. When threatened, it usually rolls up into a ball, thus protecting its vulnerable belly.

Pangolins are 30 to 90 cm (12 to 35 in) long exclusive of the tail and weigh from 5 to 27 kg (11 to 60 lb). Across all eight species, adult tail length ranges from about 26 to 70 cm (10 to 28 in). Mature adults are light brown, olive, and dark brown in color, while young are pale brown or pink in color.

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