SLOTHS, ANT-EATERS, AND ARMADILLOS 305 
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Photo by York & Son sa Photo by Fi ‘Medland, aay 
WEASEL-HEADED ARMADILLO HAIRY~RUMPED ARMADILLO 
The weasel-headed armadillos have from six to eight movable bands This species, like the Peba Armadillo, varies its diet with 
in the bony armour in which they are encased carrion 
THE PANGOLINS 
The PANGOLINS, or SCALY ANT-EATERS, are perhaps even more curious creatures than the 
armadillos. They have been likened in appearance to animated spruce fir-cones, to which indeed 
they bear a strange resemblance. This resemblance is due to the wonderful armature of the 
skin, which takes the form of large overlapping, pointed, horny plates or scales. The pangolins 
are confined to the Old World, occurring in South Africa and South-eastern Asia. Like the 
American Ant-eaters, teeth are wanting, and the tongue is long and worm-like, being employed 
in the capture of insects, as in the New World ant-eaters. 
The scales of the MANIS are formed by the fusion together of fine hairs. Like the spines 
of the hedgehog and porcupine, they serve the purpose of offensive defence; for when the 
manis rolls itself up, these pointed scales project at right angles to the body, and offer a 
formidable resistance to any enemy whatsoever. They also serve to break the force of a fall, 
which, indeed, is often voluntary; for should the animal wish to descend from the branch of 
a tree, it will often take a short cut to the ground by deliberately dropping, the force of the 
fall being entirely broken by the elastic scales. 
In climbing, the tail is of the greatest service, its under-surface being clothed with 
pointed scales, which serve as so many climbing-hooks. The grasp of a tree-trunk gained by 
the hind legs and tail is so secure that the body can be moved to a horizontal position with 
ease. In a specimen kept in captivity by Mr. Fraser, this horizontal movement was a form 
of exercise which appeared to afford the greatest pleasure, 
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Photo by L. bled und, 6] ; *CNaeth Finchley "Photo by York © Sen] [Notting Hist 
PEBA ARMADILLO KAPPLERS’ ARMADILLO 
This species lives largely upon carrion, which it buries in its burrow This is a variety of the Peba Armadillo, inhabiting 
till wanted Surinam 
