• It is a small toothless, sticky-tongued creature which thrives on ants and termites, and lives in hollow trees and burrows.
• When threatened, the pangolin curls up into a tight ball, exposing its scales to prevent attack by predators. But these scales have been the reason why pangolins have reached endangered status.
• Pangolins are reported to be among the most trafficked wild mammals globally with demand primarily in Asia and in growing amounts in Africa for their meat and scales.
• 8 species of pangolins can be found across Asia and Africa. All of these have shown decline in their population.
• Asian pangolins:
  • Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) – Critically Endangered
  • Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) – Critically Endangered
  • Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis) – Critically Endangered
  • Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) – Endangered
• African pangolins:
  • White-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) – Endangered
  • Giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) – Endangered
  • Ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) – Vulnerable
  • Black-bellied pangolin  (Phataginus tetradactyla) – Vulnerable
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has listed all eight species of pangolins in Appendix I of the Convention to end their international commercial trade.

• World Pangolin Day is celebrated every 3rd Saturday of February each year. 

Distribution in India

• India is home to two species – Indian pangolin and Chinese pangolin. Indian pangolins are found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Chinese pangolins are found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. 
• In India, both Indian pangolins and Chinese pangolins are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, of 1972. Therefore hunting, trade, or any other form of utilisation of the species or their body parts and derivatives is banned.