182 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



length averages a little less than half of the total length. (Hatt, 

 19346, pp. 646-649.) The species attains a total length of 1,710 mm. 

 and a tail length of 830 mm. (Allen and Coolidge, 1930, p. 606) . 



The range appears to extend from Sierra Leone and Liberia east 

 to the Ubangi-Shari Territory of French Equatorial Africa and 

 northeastern Belgian Congo. It corresponds rather closely to the 

 Upper and Lower Guinea Forest District of Chapin (1932, p. 90) 

 and of Bowen (1933, pp. 256, 258). "M. gigantea is known from the 

 West African Rain Forest and the adjoining wooded galleries" (Lang, 

 in Bequaert, 1922, p. 325). Matschie (1894a, p. 5) seems to extend 

 the range as far as Senegambia. 



FIG. 20. Giant Pangolin or Scaly Anteater (Smutsia gigantea). After 

 photo by Lang. 



Sierra Leone. A species of pangolin, said to be Smutsia gigantea, 

 is of fairly general distribution but is not commonly seen. It pro- 

 vides food for the natives. There is no evidence of depletion, and 

 no protective measures are taken. (Colonial Secretary's Office, in 

 litt., July, 1937.) 



Liberia. This is a very rare animal in Liberia. A specimen 

 secured by Jackson at Cape Mount had consumed a large quantity 

 of termites and driver ants. The flesh is very tough and has a flavor 

 of formic acid. (Buttikofer, 1890, vol. 2, pp. 395-396.) 



Another specimen is recorded by Jentink (1888, p. 56) from Little 

 Bassa. 



A male of record size was obtained from natives at Paiata (Allen 

 and Coolidge, 1930, p. 606) . 



Gold Coast. This species "is found in the savannah areas of 

 N. Ashanti and the Northern Territories. 



"There is little doubt that all [the species of pangolins] are now 

 much less common than formerly, though it is probable that their 

 range has not decreased. 



