Hello everyone! Apologies for being so quiet on here lately. At the moment I am investing all my social media energies into the spectacular animal pictured above - which unfortunately also holds the status of the most illegally traded mammal in the world.
Pangolins are extraordinary animals. They are the world’s only truly scaly mammals, and when curled up, this tough coat of armour makes them almost completely predator-proof! Pangolins are expert anteaters, consuming more than 70 million ants and termites per year with a sticky tongue so incredibly long that it is rooted in their pelvis. Whilst raiding the nests of their prey, they are able to seal their eyes, ears and nostrils shut in order to protect them from swarming ants and their bites or stings, while their scales keep them away from their skin. Sadly, while these scales are an excellent adaptation to the pangolin’s natural environment and lifestyle, they also put them at great risk of wildlife trafficking. Made of keratin, the same as rhino horn and just like our hair or fingernails, they are believed to have medicinal properties in parts of Asia and Africa, which has led to unsustainable levels of poaching and illegal trade of these unique and fascinating creatures.
To come top in this would be an AMAZING boost for raising awareness of pangolins and the threats they face as the most illegally trafficked mammals on the planet. World Pangolin Day is also coming up on the 20th of February and it would really add to our celebrations for Sunda pangolins to have just been crowned the world’s favourite underappreciated species!
To find out more about why Sunda pangolins deserve a whole lotta love read our blog post here and then please cast your vote for the Sunda pangolin before midnight PST tomorrow!!
Thank you all and please share far and wide to help spread the love :)
Follow usonFacebookandTwitter for loads more interesting facts as we count down to World Pangolin Day 2016!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
There are just over 11 hours left before voting closes - share your love for pangolins today by getting in your votefor the Sunda pangolin in Arkive’s poll for the world’s favourite unloved species!
