Chordate Zoology - textbook - Y. V. Tsaryk - 2013

Chapter 5. SUPERCLASS TETRAPODS (LAND VERTEBRATES) TETRAPODA, seu QUADRIPEDA.

ANAMNIOTES (ANAMNIA) and AMNIOTES (AMNIOTA)

5.4. CLASS MAMMALS, or BEASTS, MAMMALIA, seu THERIA

5.4.4. Taxonomy and characteristics of representatives of the main orders of the class Mammalia

5.4.4.2. Subclass Beasts Theria

5.4.4.2.16. Order Pholidota (pangolin-like Maniformes)

It comprises a single family, Manidae (pangolins), with eight species. The upper body is covered with horny scales; the limbs are armed with powerful claws. They inhabit forests, shrublands, and savannas; they are terrestrial and arboreal, and active at night. In case of danger, they retreat to shelters or roll up into a ball. They are distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. They feed on termites and ants, catching them with a long, highly mobile Tongue. Apparently, they have always been low in numbers. Representatives include the Sunda pangolin Manis javanica, the giant pangolin Manis gigantea (Fig. 5.74, 29), and others. The latter is distributed in Western and Central Africa.