Description

Activity patterns. Solitary, nocturnal, and terrestrial, the Giant Pangolin is a secretive species difficult to survey. During the day, opportunistically rests in burrows, dead and fallen trees, dense vegetation (thickets, piles of plant debris), and simple tunnels dig under ant or termite mounds. The tunnels are used for resting and feeding, and have many openings; the mean depth of the gallery network usually is 50 - 60 cm. The Giant Pangolin’s gait is an alternated walk with alternative rising of the tail; when the tail is down, it leaves deep drag marks on the ground. May leave numerous footprints along river banks in riparian forests; plantigrade hindfeet leave tracks similar to those of a small elephant. Poor swimmer, crossing streams with body entirely submerged, nose emerging, paddling with feet. Absence of pronosupination in forefeet, but powerful pronation of hindfeet due to a specific muscular flexor, supporting bipedism (although bipedal walk might be less frequent than in the Ground Pangolin, M. temminckii). Body temperature approximately 34 ° C during daytime, slightly below the usual mammalian range; may decrease to 26 ° C when ambient temperature reaches 17 ° C (under experimental conditions). Tree climbing is feasible, buttail is poorly prehensile and so does not contribute. When in danger, rolls up into a ball, the large tail strongly pressed against face and belly for protection. Tail can also be projected with force towards the source of danger. The powerful forefeet and claws can destroy metal plates and cement walls 3 cm thick.

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Pholidota

Family: Manidae

Genus: Manis

Species: Manis gigantea Illiger, 1815