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Pangolin small on Blackwood base
4cm Average
101-734 ...... 116 USD
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The Pangolin has a quirky charm all of its own, but little is known of its natural history. The scales are not at all reptilian as may be expected, but are made of matted, fused hair like rhino horn. The new born pangolin’s scales harden after about two days.
For anyone who has spent time in the African bush, a pangolin sighting is an immense privilege.
In African culture, it is a great honour to be able to present one’s chief with a pangolin. Tradition has it that if the chief eats the meat of the pangolin, all his progeny will be male, thus ensuring that power and the right to rule remain with his bloodline. I was once lucky enough to be given several pangolins, and whilst they ambled quietly around the farm, sniffing for ants, I was able to study nearly every movement they make in the wild.
A pangolin can grow to a length of roughly one metre and weigh up to ten kilograms. its entire body is covered in heavy brown scales and when in danger it rolls into an impenetrably armoured ball protecting its soft underbelly, delicate nose and moist eyes. To defend themselves in this rolled up position they scythe the sharp edges of their tail across the body of their attacker in an attempt to injure them.
This rare solitary, nocturnal animal has strong claws that allow it to dig into ant colonies. It then inserts its tongue deep into the nest and draws out a feast of ants and their larvae.
Incidentally the tongue of the pangolin is as long as its body and head combined!
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