White-bellied Pangolin

Field profile

The white-bellied pangolin, also called the tree pangolin, is a nocturnal, ant- and termite-eating mammal covered in overlapping keratin scales, native to the forests of West and Central Africa. It spends most of its life in trees, using a strongly prehensile tail to grip branches while foraging. It is among the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world, driven by demand for its scales and meat.