Indian pangolin

Manis crassicaudata

IUCN Status

Endangered

Distribution

Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Reproduction

The Indian pangolin usually has one offspring, though two have been reported, after a gestation period of 65-70 days, which is much shorter than for other species of pangolin.

Distinguishing characteristics

The Indian pangolin has the most western distribution in Asia with a range extending into two regions of Pakistan. It can be distinguished from other Asian pangolins by the size of its scales, which reach a considerably larger size than scales of the Chinese, Sunda and Philippine pangolins. Like the Chinese pangolin it has a principally fossorial as opposed to arboreal lifestyle and noticeably larger front claws than the Sunda and Philippine pangolins.

Facts

Although normally shy, Indian pangolins are reported to wander into villages and have been known to dig through concrete and into houses.

Overlays