Black-bellied Pangolin

## Description

A black-bellied pangolin in a tree.

The Black-bellied pangolin ***(Phataginus Tetradactyla)*** is a species of pangolin differentiated by its bright orange scales and jet black fur and underbelly. Black-bellied pangolins are small yet stocky animals that are armed with extremely strong claws on their front legs. They use these claws not only to break apart insect nests, but to climb large trees in their rainforest home. Black-bellied pangolins often walk on their hind legs giving them a hunched over appearance. Due to the pangolin's diet of venomous ants and other insects it has evolved extra thick skin especially around the eyes, to prevent ant bites and stings in sensitive areas. Black-bellied pangolins are one of the smaller subspecies of pangolins, only growing 30-90cm (1-3ft) in length and weighing a light 2-3kg (4.4-6.6lbs).

## Diet

Black-bellied pangolins use their long sticky tongues in combination with their sharp claws, to break apart insect nests such as termite hills and eat the contence.

## Conservation Status

Black-bellied pangolins are recognised as vulnerable by the IUCN. Due to African pangolins living further away from pangolin trafficking hubs like China, Laos and Vietnam, they are less poached and have better conservation statuses as a result compared to the critically endangered pangolin subspecies of Eastern Asia.

## Range and Population

Black-bellied pangolins occur across the tropical rainforests of west and central Africa, including countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. In these environments the pangolins resort to a tree dwelling or arboreal lifestyle, living mainly in trees. Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world being hunted for their scales traditionally used in Chinese remedies and ailments. Because of the mass overhunting of pangolins, worldwide populations have dropped. Black-bellied pangolins numbers are unknown but there is still a continuing decline in mature individual numbers.

## Behaviour

Black-bellied pangolins are solitary animals that are mainly sighted at night. They are unlike other pangolin species and live mainly in trees, as their prehensile tail and arboreal adaptations are perfect for this. When frightened or threatened pangolins roll up into balls, similarly to armadillo's, during this state often the toughest of predators have a difficult time overcoming the animal's defense. Unfortunately this unique adaptation fails to defend against poachers, actually making it easier to capture them.

### Relationship with Humans

As previously mentioned Black-bellied pangolins and pangolins as a hole have a terrible relationship with humans as they are the most trafficked mammal in the world. Pangolins are shy and from their perspective humans seem like a humongous threat even when they are not. Pangolins, because of the pangolin's shy nature they will not bite humans when handled, or even show any form of aggression

## In Captivity

No Black-bellied pangolins have ever been housed in captivity. This is probably due to the animal's small population and the fact they are almost impossible to keep in captivity, having extremely specific living conditions. Though no zoo has been able to care for Black-bellied pangolins, some zoos do exhibit the white-bellied tree pangolin such as the San Diego Zoo, Memphis Zoo and Brookfield Zoo to name a few.

## Sources

* IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group - https://www.pangolinsg.org/pangolins/black-bellied-pangolin/
* African Black-Bellied Pangolin Encyclopedia Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/animal/African-black-bellied-pangolin
* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12766/123586126
* Long-Tailed Pangolin | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-tailed\_pangolin