Order: PHOLIDOTA
Family: MANIDAE
The Pangolin is unique among Bornean mammals in having scales covering the entire upperparts, a prehensile tail and lacking teeth. The infant travels clinging to the upper side of the base of the mother's tail.
Measurements: HB 397-645, T 351-565, HF 61-97 (4 specimens). Wt up to 7 kg.
Identification: A distinctive brownish, scaly mammal, with long claws on the forefeet. Head and tail long and tapering, held below level of body while travelling on the ground. Tail wrapped around body when animal is disturbed, to protect the non-scaly underparts.
Ecology and Habitat: Usually nocturnal, sleeping during the daytime in underground burrows. Food consists exclusively of ants and termites taken from nests in trees, on the ground or below ground. The insect nests are opened with the strongly clawed feet and the contents licked up with the long, sticky tongue. Known from tall and secondary forests, and from cultivated areas including gardens. Most often seen on roads at night, where it is slow-moving and conspicuous, although the eyes reflect very little torchlight.
Distribution known from lowlands and hills throughout the island, up to 1700 m on G. Kinabalu.
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