Do Pangolins Lay Eggs?
No, pangolins do not lay eggs. They are mammals, and like other mammals, they give birth to live young.
The gestation period for female pangolins is about five months. Pangolins generally give birth to a single offspring (known as pangopuppies or pangopups) after a gestation period of several months, depending on the species.
Pangopups are born covered in soft, white scales that harden after a couple days. Pagopups are born with their eyes open but are not able to walk for at least a few weeks. The young pangolin is born relatively undeveloped and requires care and nourishment from its mother, clinging to her scales before becoming independent. It is usually ready for life on its own at about five months of age.
Pangolins, both adults and babies, face several threats in the wild, including habitat loss, poaching for their scales and meat, and encounters with predators. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these unique and vulnerable creatures and ensure their survival.
How Pangopups Evolve and Survive
Maternal Care: Female pangolins invest a significant amount of time and effort into caring for their offspring. The mother carries the baby on her back or curled up in her tail for a few weeks to months, depending on the species. During this time, she provides protection and warmth, which is crucial for the baby's survival.
Mother's Milk: Like other mammals, pangolin mothers produce milk to nourish their young. Pangopups feed on their mother's milk, which is rich in nutrients, essential for their growth and development.
Protection: The mother pangolin uses her body to shield her baby from potential threats. She will curl around the baby, using her strong scales as armor against predators. This protective behavior helps keep the young pangolin safe from harm.
Learning Survival Skills: While being carried by their mothers, pangopups may learn important survival skills by observing their mother's behavior. They can learn how to search for food, identify safe hiding places, and detect potential dangers.
Gradual Independence: As the baby pangolin grows and becomes more independent, it will start to spend more time exploring its surroundings and learning to forage on its own. The mother will gradually allow the baby to venture out, while still providing protection and guidance.
Adaptations: Pangolins, even as babies, have some natural adaptations that help them survive. Their sharp claws are useful for digging into ant and termite mounds to find food. Additionally, their keen sense of smell helps them locate their prey.
5 Additional FAQs About the Most Trafficked Mammal in the World
1. Why are pangolins called "scaly anteaters"?
As the only mammal on Earth with scales, pangolins are truly one-of-a-kind animals. Unfortunately, this unique feature for their protection from predators has also made them the most heavily trafficked mammal in the world.
Their protective keratin scales and diet, consisting mainly of ants and termites, has led to moniker “scaly anteater.” However, pangolins are smaller than anteaters and covered in thick, scaly skin, while anteaters are covered in hair. As mammals, the pangolin’s DNA is closer to cats and dogs.
2. How long have pangolins been around?
Pangolins are prehistoric mammals that have been around for 80 million years – which is why their endangered status is so heartbreaking!
In addition to its extremely tough armored exterior, the pangolin has evolved some amazing and surprising abilities during its long history. They have long, sticky tongues that are longer than their bodies (can be up to 28 inches long) and have evolved to be perfectly adapted for eating ants and termites. Pangolins’ appetite for insects gives them an important role in their ecosystem - pest control. It is estimated that one adult pangolin can consume more than 70 million insects annually.
However, pangolins are also completely toothless, and their mechanism of defense is to roll up into a ball and wait until the danger goes away. While this has proven effective against most predators for millions of years, when it comes to defending themselves from poachers it has had the opposite effect. When pangolins feel threatened, they don’t run or attack, they stop and curl up. This means guns, traps or training aren’t needed to poach a pangolin. They can simply be picked up.
3. Do pangolins make any sounds?
While pangolins are far from chatty creatures, they do make a few sounds. Males, for example, will sometimes make a soft hooting noise. When waking up or eating, they audibly snort and chuff.
And to warn or express distress, pangolins can produce various vocalizations, including hissing, clicking, and growling. Interestingly, pangolins are one of the few animals that have no vocal cords, so they are limited in how they can communicate.
4. Why are pangolins hunted?
Pangolins are hunted for their scales, meat, and body parts. Traditional Chinese medicine and cultural practices in some Asian countries consider their scales to have medicinal properties.
Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy, especially in China and Vietnam. The practice of serving pangolin is often barely hidden, with many menus and restaurant staff advertising their pangolin stocks. Animals may be killed at the table in order to prove to the customer that they are consuming genuine pangolin meat.
According to some estimates, an average of more than 100,000 pangolins are poached and shipped to China and Vietnam every year.
5. Are pangolins endangered?
Yes, all eight species of pangolins are considered endangered, with two listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, due to illegal poaching. More than 1 million pangolins have been murdered for black-market trade in the past 10 years – that’s 11 pangolins every hour!
What We’re Doing To Help Pangolins
From helping fund a new telemetry system for rehabilitated pangolins rescued from poachers to nursing babies who are left without mothers by poachers, learn more about our efforts to protect Africa’s vulnerable wildlife.
Kerry David is an award-winning filmmaker and passionate animal advocate.
After learning about the devastating effects of global poaching and human/wildlife conflicts in Africa (the loss of natural habitat due to human encroachment), Kerry launched Over and Above Africa and fulfilled a lifelong promise to advocate for endangered species, and support the communities they impact.
She combines her love of storytelling with her affection for endangered wildlife by filming each project Over & Above Africa funds. These mini-documentaries are created for members and donors to see the positive impact their generosity has at ground zero. She hopes to expand awareness of this growing crisis and encourage global participation!