Description

Activity patterns. A poorly known species. Solitary, terrestrial, and mostly nocturnal. Activity starts late in the afternoon or at dusk, and the pangolins forage all night, sometimes until morning. During the day, they opportunistically rest in terrestrial shelters, termite mounds, or Aardvark (Orycteropus afer) and spring hare (Pedetes spp.) burrows, preferably connected to ant or termite colonies; they rarely dig their own burrows. Typical burrows have a 20 - 25 cm diameter entrance and 3 - 5 m long horizontal tunnels, c. 1 m below entrance level. The same burrow is occupied several days in a row, and then left for another one. Can walk quadrupedally or bipedally. In quadrupedal walk, feet alternate and tail drags discontinuously on the ground. Bipedal walk is often used when foraging, with tail maintained above the ground for balance and forelegs held in a kangaroo-like carriage. Pelvis is more vertical and tuber coxae more prominent than in other pangolins, allowing regular use of bipedal walk. Sleeps curled up with scales open; when disturbed, scales are pulled down with much force. When walking, reacts to alarming noise by putting head between hindlegs, so to present the dorsal part of the scaled armoras a first defensive posture. In case of imminent danger, rolls into a ball. A female was observed lying on her back in the shade, exposing her belly moistened by urine to cool down body temperature. Capable of climbing, helped by the lateral, sharp scales ofthe tail. Can create a depression on the ground to collect rainwater by gyrating backwards in a tightcircle.

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Pholidota

Family: Manidae

Genus: Manis

Species: Manis temminckii Smuts, 1832