Pangolins still under global threat in 2020

Although all eight species of pangolins are banned from international trade, the "scaly anteater" population is still under deadly threats as they continue to be the world's most trafficked mammals.

Pangolin or its original Malay word "pengguling," which means "rolling up," as the mammal use it as a defense system against predators or other threats, has unique characteristics and is under very dangerous threats.

Since every third Saturday in February is observed annually to raise awareness about these unique mammals, the pangolin population is rapidly declining in Asia and Africa.

On the occasion of the World Pangolin Day on Feb. 15, Anadolu Agency correspondent compiled data from TRAFFIC, a leading NGO working globally on trade in wild animals and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on pangolins, the world's most trafficked mammal.

TRAFFIC is a leading non-governmental organization working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Characteristics of pangolin

The scaly anteaters are the only mammal that is covered with scales from head to toe.

The amazing animals are also known as the length of their 40-cm (16-inch) tongue which is almost longer than some pangolin species.

Their scales which are one of the main reasons for poaching the mammals, are sort of keratin, like a human fingernail and are equal to 20% of a Pangolin's weight.

They are also predicted to eat nearly 6 million insects, including ants and termites, every month, with no teeth.

Eight extant species of pangolin are located only on the two continents; Chinese pangolin, Philippine pangolin,...