An Endangered Species

An endangered species of a toothless mammal once found on the bank of Bagmati river is Pangolin. Pangolin found in Nepal is a scaly anteater. Its scientific name is Manis pentadactylus. It is a native of Asia, Africa, and some Island in Pacific. Largest of all the Pangolin is the Great Ground Pangolin; Smutsia gigantea of equatorial Africa.

Pangolin’s body is streamlined and tappesed at both ends with long tail. Its body is covered with scales which are made from hair cemented densely together. Its head is small, the face pointed and mouth without tooth. From the mouth the tiny long sticky string of a tongue can be exteuded several inches to pick up the insects . The limbs are provided with strongly clawed five digits.

Pangolins are ground dwellers known as the master for art of self defense. When it assumes danger, it rolls itself into a ball. At some time it esects it scales presenting an array of knife like blades that bristle at foe.
In Nepal pangolin belonging to family Manidae live in lowlands (76-915m), Mahabharata and middle hills (915-2745m) altitude. Eastern Pangolin, Manis pentadactylus occur in Nepal but Zoologist T C majupuria collected a specimen of Manis aurita from Sundarijal, Kathmandu valley.
Hence pangolin is still a fact of research .since its sexual dimorphism, general anatomy and other behavior are not mentioned by any writers. Lastly it is our duties to protect endangered species from our land.
BINOD KUWAR
Bsc 2nd year