| Indian pangolin | |
|---|---|
| |
| Indian pangolin in Kandy, Sri Lanka | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Pholidota |
| Family: | Manidae |
| Genus: | Manis |
| Species: | M. crassicaudata[1]
|
| Binomial name | |
| Manis crassicaudata[1] E. Geoffroy, 1803
| |
The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin and scaly anteater, is a pangolin native to the Indian subcontinent.[2] Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on its body which act as armour. The colour of its scales varies depending on the colour of the earth in its surroundings. It can also curl itself into a ball as self-defence against predators such as the tiger. It is an insectivore feeding on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs using its long claws, which are as long as its fore limbs. It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.
It is not common anywhere in its range, and is threatened by hunting for its meat and various body parts used in traditional medicine.[2]
- ^ Schlitter, D.A. (2005). "Species Manis crassicaudata". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 530. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b c d Mahmood, T.; Challender, D.; Khatiwada, A.; Andleeb, S.; Perera, P.; Trageser, S.; Ghose, A.; Mohapatra, R.K. (2019). "Manis crassicaudata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T12761A123583998. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12761A123583998.en. Retrieved 17 January 2022.