pangolin

pan·go·lin

noun \ˈpaŋ-gə-lən, ˈpan-\

Definition of PANGOLIN

: any of a family (Manidae of the order Pholidota) of Asian and African toothless mammals having the body covered dorsally with large imbricated horny scales —called also scaly anteater

Illustration of PANGOLIN

Origin of PANGOLIN

Malay dialect pĕngguling

First Known Use: 1774

pangolin

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of about eight species of armoured placental mammals (genus Manis, order Pholidota) of tropical Asia and Africa. Scales formed of cemented hairs cover the upper body, legs, and tail. Pangolins are 2–6 ft (60–180 cm) long and weigh 10–60 lb (5–27 kg). They have a conical head, no teeth, a long tongue, short legs, and a long prehensile tail. Some are arboreal; terrestrial species live in burrows. Nocturnal animals, pangolins locate prey, mainly termites, by smell and rip open nests with their front claws. When threatened, the pangolin (Malayan for “rolling over”) curls up or emits an odoriferous secretion. See also anteater; echidna.

Variants of PANGOLIN

pangolin or scaly anteater