The pangolin is one of the most unusual and fascinating animals on the planet, yet it is also one of the most unknown and endangered. The pangolin is a scaly anteater native to Asia and Africa, and it has some amazing and surprising facts that will blow your mind away.

Keep reading to discover 5 strange and surprising facts about the pangolin.

1. Pangolin is the world’s only scaly mammal

The pangolin is the only mammal in the world that is covered in scales, which are made of keratin, the same material found in our fingernails. The pangolin’s scales act as a protective armor against predators, and they are so tough that they are even able to fend off a lion. However, their scales are a major reason for their endangered status as poachers hunt them for their medicinal benefits in traditional Chinese medicine and as a culinary delicacy in some cultures.

2. Pangolins have an incredible sense of smell

The pangolin may have poor eyesight, but it makes up for it with an impeccable sense of smell. In fact, its sense of smell is so sensitive that it is said to be able to smell ants, its primary source of food, from up to 33 feet away. This ability helps them dig into ant nests with their strong claws and long tongues that can be up to 40cm long.

3. Pangolins can curl up into a ball when threatened

When threatened, the pangolin has a unique defense mechanism. It rolls itself into a tight ball, with its scales acting as a shield against predators. Predators such as lions and hyenas would find it difficult to penetrate the armor made by their scales and will eventually lose interest in it.

4. Pangolins have a prehensile tail

In addition to its protective scales and ability to curl into a ball, the pangolin also has a prehensile tail. This means that it can use its tail as an extra limb, and it is able to coil around tree branches or other objects to help it move around on the ground. The pangolin uses its tail as a balancing tool while walking on two-legs on flat ground.

5. Pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the world

Pangolins are unfortunately one of the most illegally trafficked animals in the world. They are hunted primarily for their scales which are believed to have medicinal properties, and their meat is also considered a delicacy in many cultures. Although pangolin conservationists have made some progress in recent years, the pangolin remains critically endangered, with most species are listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as endangered or critically endangered.

In conclusion, the pangolin is a highly fascinating animal with unique characteristics, which makes it even more important to save these species from extinction. Efforts have been made to preserve these animals, and some government and conservation agencies have banned the trade of pangolin scales and meat. However, more needs to be done to protect the pangolin and other endangered species from becoming victims of our insatiable desire for natural resources.