The Chinese pangolin has been referred to as the scaly anteater because that is what it resembles. It measures around 60 cm from head to body with an 18 cm tail. Sexual dimorphism is present in this species. Manis pentadactyla has about 18 rows of overlapping scales. The scales are accompanied by hairs, an unusual combination in mammals.
Chinese pangolins have a small pointed head and a narrow mouth.
The nose is fleshy and has nostrils at the end. This bronze colored animal has a very round body. They use their claws to open up termite and ant mounds. May. A single young is born measuring about 45 cm and weighing about 1 lb. The young come equipped with scales, although they are soft and flexible for the first two days of life.