By Eric J. Ellis
Habitat
This species has been called "completely arboreal". They are mainly found in rainforest trees where they are concentrated in the canopy.
Terrestrial Biomes:
rainforest 
.
Physical Description
(4.4 to 6.6 lbs)
Head and body length= 30-40 cm. Tail length= 60-70 cm. One of the smaller pangolins. The distinctive feature of this species is the very long, prehensile tail that is almost two-thirds of its total body length. The tip of the tail has a naked area thought to be a sensory pad. Nine to thirteen rows of scales cover the entire top of the pangolin. These scales are dark brown, with a paler colored edge providing very effective camouflage. Long-tailed pangolins have short, thick limbs and digits with long curved claws. Their skin under the scales is very dark. Ventrally they have sparse dark hairs. The muzzle is naked, the eyes are small, and the ears are very small.
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproduction of this species. It is thought that they breed throughout the year and usually have 1 young. When mating, they intertwine tails and face each other ventrally. Length of the gestation period is not known. The young ride on the mother for up to 3 months. When threatened, they curl into a ball in the mother's belly, while she rolls into a ball. Sexual maturity is around 2 years.
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
This species is usually solitary and active during the day. They spend their day climbing high in the trees, using an inchwork-like crawl, searching for ant colonies or ant "lines." Contact with the ground is rare, but pangolins sometimes voluntarily drop into water and are considered good swimmers. This species sleeps in tree hollows at night. If attacked, the long-tailed pangolin curls into a tight ball and rattles its scales. They also eject foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands and hiss.
It is not known if this species is territoral, but they have been observed scent marking trees with urine and anal gland secretions.
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
The long-tailed pangolin eats mostly tree dwelling ants. Termites are also taken on occasion. The very long, sticky tongue is used to capture prey.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Many tribes use this species for food. Their scales have a high black market value, especially in China.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
Appendix II.
There is little information aout the conservation of this species, but pangolins in general are declining. Their scales are prized for their supposed medicinal value, and many native African tribes hunt them for their meat. Destruction of the rainforest is another factor leading to decreased population numbers.
Other Comments
The 46-47 tail vertebrae of this species is a record for mammals.
For More Information
Find Manis tetradactyla information at
Contributors
Eric J. Ellis (author), University of Michigan.
