species of mammals of the pacific area 107 



Scaly Anteaters. Order Pholidota 

 Family Manid^ 



The family Manidae contains the scaly anteaters or pangolins 

 of Asia and Africa. One genus (^Manis) alone occurs in the 

 East Indies. 



The Pangolin or Scaly Anteater (Manis javanica) is found 

 throughout much of southern Asia and on many of the coastal 



Fig. 48 — Pangolin 



islands from Sumatra to Palawan and Bali. It is light brown 

 in color, with a narrow head, long nose and tongue. The upper- 

 part of the body is protected by hard, overlapping scales, which 

 give the animal the appearance of a large animated spruce cone ; 

 the underparts are without scales. When danger threatens, the 

 pangolin rolls itself up to protect its belly. The scales at the 

 side of the tail have sharp edges with which the animal, striking 

 with the tail, can inflict deep cuts. The forefeet are armed with 

 strong claws with which it digs holes in the ground for its home. 

 The pangolin uses them to dig into the nests of ants and ter- 

 mites upon which it relies for food. 



