( Short-tailed Pangolin)

Manis pentadactyla subsp. aurita Hodgson, 1836
Manis pentadactyla subsp. pentadactyla
Manis pentadactyla subsp. pusilla J.Allen, 1906

Manidae

ລິ່ນຄວາຍ/ Malayan Pangolin

A medium-sized pangolin is characterized by olive to reddish-brown, round scales covering its body. Males are generally larger than females. The head is cone-shaped, equipped with thick, elongated mandibles, and small eyes with a black iris. The scales provide protection to the upper parts, while the belly and inner sides of the limbs are scaleless. The tail is slightly shorter than the combined head and body length. The forelegs are shorter than the hindlegs, with claws present at the tips of the toes. The head and body measure between 40 to 65 cm, with a tail length of 35 to 58 cm, and the species typically weighs between 3 to 10 kg [5].

Behavior: Manis pentadatyla, a solitary and nocturnal mammal, spends its days resting in underground burrows. This shy and non-aggressive creature is characterised by its slow movements and emerges at dusk to forage for insects, primarily ants and termites. When threatened, it instinctively curls into a tight ball, relying on its tough, protective scales to safeguard against predators [8].

Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Province of China, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Global distribution between 2004 to 2024. Source: [6]

North Laos Highlands
Northern Annamites
Lower Annamites
Southern Mekong Corridor
Boloven Plateau

Bamboo forest
Evergreen forest
Mixed deciduous forest
Parks and public places

Native

Not invasive

Critically endangered

List I: Prohibited species

Use prohibited

Due to the species’ vulnerability the use and consumption of products derived from this species is prohibited under the law of the Lao PDR. The PKL team strongly recommends respecting this regulation and refusing the purchase, use, or sale of individuals or products derived from this species.

Wild

February
March
April
May
June
July

Threat: Indiscriminate hunting and poaching throughout the species' range for both local and international markets have significantly contributed to the extirpation of the species in certain areas. This issue is further exacerbated by changes in law enforcement, which hinder effective protection measures [7].

Population: The species has been so heavily hunted in Lao PDR that field sightings are exceptionally rare. There were field sightings of an individual in Nam Theun Extension PNBCA (Proposed National Biodiversity Conservation Area) in 1994-1995, and an individual was seen in a village in Nakai Nam Theun NBCA during the same period (Duckworth et al. 1999). There are unverified camera trap records from Nakai Nam Theun NBCA in the early 2010s (Coudrat, 2017).

N/A

N/A

Nutrient	/100g	Remark
Proteins	N/A	N/A
Carbohydrates	N/A	N/A
Fats	N/A	N/A
Vitamins	N/A	N/A
Minerals	N/A	N/A
Fibers	N/A	N/A

Chinese pangolin. [1] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in June 2023 by: ededwarddd. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/296250377. [Accessed: 04 October 2024].
Chinese Pangolin curled up. [2] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in July 2021 by: copyboy. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/145800726. [Accessed: 04 October 2024].
Bigger Chinese Pangolin. [3] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in January 2023 by: carson18. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/340291006. [Accessed: 04 October 2024].
Hole in which the Chinese Pangolin lives. [4] iNaturalist [Online]. Uploaded in January 2023 by: amarzee. Available: www.inaturalist.org/photos/253352896. [Accessed: 04 October 2024].

[5] D. Prathumthong and A. Khlaipet, "Mammals of Nature World Heritage Thong Yai Naresuan-Huai Kha Khaeng," National Science Museum Thailand, Thani Province, Thailand, 2022.
[6] Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), “Manis pentadactyla Linnaeus, 1758” [Online]. Available: https://www.gbif.org/species/5219638. [Accessed: 04 October 2024].
[7] IUCN Red List, “Manis pentadactyla Linnaeus, 1758,” [Online]. Available: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12764/168392151#conservation-actions. [Accessed: 09 August 2024].
[8] P. A. Thapa, "An Overview of Chinese Pangolin (Manis)," [Online]. Available: https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/105839771/8346-libre.pdf?1695221496=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DAn_Overview_of_Chinese_Pangolin_Manis_pe.pdf&Expires=1723452502&Signature=SfaMFMGtEp~QJAniTPtz1Sq6f-TMaTg7vWT8nrjJyKx12ko~BT6kl8wk. [Accessed: 12 August 2024].