Manidae

Manidae

Metacheiromys DB152-2

Anatomische Untersuchungen über die Edentaten (1852) Manis javanica

Pangolin Hardwicke (white background)

Schuppentier-drawing

Anatomische Untersuchungen über die Edentaten (1852) Phataginus tricuspis

Manidae is a family of mammals within the order Pholidota, commonly known as pangolins. The family Manidae encompasses all the species of pangolins. Pangolins are unique creatures, known for their distinctive scales made of keratin, which cover their skin as a form of protection. These animals are primarily nocturnal and are found in various parts of Asia and Africa. They are solitary creatures, primarily insectivorous, feeding mainly on ants and termites.

Description

Pangolins have a characteristic appearance, with their bodies covered in tough, overlapping scales. These scales account for about 20% of the pangolin's total body weight. Pangolins can curl themselves into a ball as a defensive mechanism against predators, with their scales acting as armor. They have long, sticky tongues, which they use to capture their prey from deep within ant hills or termite mounds.

Habitat and Distribution

The family Manidae is distributed across various habitats, ranging from tropical forests to savannahs and grasslands. In Asia, pangolins can be found from the northern borders of the Himalayas to the islands of Indonesia. In Africa, their range extends from the Saharan fringes in the north to parts of southern Africa.

Conservation Status

Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world, primarily due to the demand for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine, and their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures. This has led to a significant decline in their populations. All species of pangolins are listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with statuses ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered.

Species

The family Manidae is divided into several species, which are grouped into two genera: Manis, found in Asia, and Phataginus and Smutsia, found in Africa. Some of the species include:

• Manis crassicaudata (Indian pangolin)
• Manis javanica (Sunda pangolin)
• Manis pentadactyla (Chinese pangolin)
• Phataginus tricuspis (African tree pangolin)
• Smutsia gigantea (Giant ground pangolin)

Behavior and Ecology

Pangolins are primarily nocturnal and solitary animals. They spend most of their day sleeping in burrows or hollow trees and become active at night to feed. Their diet consists almost entirely of ants and termites. Pangolins have a low reproductive rate, typically giving birth to one offspring per year, which makes their populations particularly vulnerable to overexploitation.

Threats

The primary threats to pangolins include habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and deforestation, and poaching for their scales and meat. International trade in pangolins and their parts is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), but illegal trafficking continues to pose a significant threat to their survival.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts for pangolins include habitat protection, anti-poaching patrols, and international cooperation to combat trafficking. Rehabilitation centers and breeding programs have also been established in some countries to help recover populations of these unique mammals.