Manis tetradactyla
long-tailed pangolin

Long-tailed pangolins are native to parts of western and central Africa in the Ethiopian biogeographical zone. They range from Senegal to Uganda and Angola, encompassing Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, and Senegal. (Hoffmann, et al., 1982; Hutchins, et al., 2003; Smith, 1985; "Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed.", 1999)

Long-tailed pangolins are strictly arboreal, residing in hollow trees or epiphytes. They live in tropical riverine and swamp forests, and rainforests, including agricultural areas within rainforests. They are good swimmers and are always found close to water; they may drop into the water from overhanging branches. Long-tailed pangolins prefer to live away from the outer edges of forests. They are generally restricted to the forest canopy. (Angelici, et al., 2001; Grzimek, 1990; Happold, 1987; Hutchins, et al., 2003; "Uromanis tetradactyla", 2008)

Long-tailed pangolins have long prehensile tails that make up almost two-thirds of their total length. They have the longest tails (60 to 70 cm) and the shortest bodies (35 to 45 cm) of the eight pangolin species. Males are slightly larger than females. The tail contains 46 to 47 caudal vertebrae, a record number among mammals. Their bodies are covered with large overlapping scales, which are dark brown with yellowish edges and are shaped like artichoke leaves. Unlike Asian pangolins, they do not have hairs at the base of their scales. In addition to the 9 to 13 rows of scales covering its back, long-tailed pangolins have scales everywhere except the face, throat, belly, inner arms and legs, and a small bare patch on the underside of the tail. This bare patch contains a sensory pad used to seek out holds while climbing. Like other ant-eating mammals, long-tailed pangolins have strong, curved claws, specialized for breaking into ant nests. They have no teeth and long tongues that extend into the abdomen. Adults range in mass from 2 to 2.5 kg, and head-body length ranges from 95 to 115 centimeters. Long-tailed pangolins are sometimes mistaken for their closest relative, tree pangolins, another arboreal, African species. The two species are similar in size and coloration. (Angelici, et al., 2001; Gaudin and Wible, 1999; Grzimek, 1990; Happold, 1987; Hutchins, et al., 2003; Macdonald, 1985; "Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed.", 1999)

Little is known about the mating system of long-tailed pangolins or pangolins in general. They are solitary, only coming together to mate. During copulation, the male and female face each other and intertwine tails. (Gaudin and Wible, 1999; Grzimek, 1990; Happold, 1987; Macdonald, 1985; "Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed.", 1999)

It is likely that long-tailed pangolins breed throughout the year. The gestation period is about 4.5 months. Females give birth to a single offspring at a time. At birth, young weigh 100 to 150g. They are born with soft scales, which harden in a matter of days. Young ride on their mother for up to 3 months by clinging to her tail. Although weaning and lifespan are unknown, long-tailed pangolins are thought to reach sexual maturity at around 2 years old. More is known about the reproductive life-hostory of tree pangolins, which are closely related to long-tailed pangolins. Tree pangolins give birth to a single young after a 6 month gestation period. Young are born with eyes open and scales still soft, which harden after 2 days. Young tree pangolins stay in the nest until they are 2 to 3 weeks old, at which point they ride on their mothers' backs and tails. Weaning occurs after 3 to 4 months, and adult size is reached after 15 months. (Gaudin and Wible, 1999; Grzimek, 1990; Happold, 1987; Hutchins, et al., 2003; "Uromanis tetradactyla", 2008; Macdonald, 1985; "Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed.", 1999)

Limited is known of parental care in long-tailed pangolins. Females nurse and care for their young for extended periods, and young are dependent on their mothers for up to 3 months. Males are not involved in parental care. (Grzimek, 1990; Macdonald, 1985; "Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed.", 1999)

There is no information available regarding the lifespan of long-tailed pangolins. In general, pangolins do not do well in captivity, typically surviving less than six months. (Yang, et al., 2007)

Long-tailed pangolins are solitary and very shy. When threatened, they roll into a ball, with the scales acting as armor. They also sleep curled up this way in tree hollows or epiphytes. They are the only species of pangolin that is primarily diurnal. Their scales provide good camouflage, allowing them to hunt during the day while blending in with the tree bark. Long-tailed pangolins are primarily arboreal and are very good climbers. They climb by grabbing the tree with both front feet, then they bring up and anchor the back feet close behind. While climbing, the sensitive patch of skin on the tail is often used to seek out purchase. They often hang by the tip of their tails, which they wrap around a branch. If they cannot reach another branch while hanging this way, long-tailed pangolins often climb up their tails. Although they spend the majority of their time in the trees, long-tailed pangolins are great swimmers. They live near water, and may drop into streams from overhanging branches. They swim quickly with an undulating motion. (Angelici, et al., 2001; Grzimek, 1990; Happold, 1987; Hutchins, et al., 2003; "Uromanis tetradactyla", 2008)

There is no information available regarding home range characteristics in long-tailed pangolins. (Hutchins, et al., 2003)

Long-tailed pangolins have a great sense of smell, which they use to locate prey. In addition, they have a touch-sensitive pad on the tip of the tail, which is used to help them navigate trees. They possess a pair of anal scent glands, which produces a strong exudate that is deposited with feces and urine. The pheromone in anal gland exudate is likely used to attract mates and may also be used to demarcate territorial boundaries. (Feldhamer, et al., 2007; Macdonald, 1985)

Long-tailed pangolins are myrmecophagous, with a primary diet consisting mostly of ants. Unlike other species of pangolin, they do not depend on termites as a large part of their diet. Long-tailed pangolins use their sense of smell to locate arboreal ant nests and rip them open with their powerful claws. They also attack columns of foraging ants that move along the tree. Like other ant-eating mammals, long-tailed pangolins have long, sticky tongues that they use to catch ants. Prey are then broken down in its muscular, gizzard-like stomach. (Feldhamer, et al., 2007; Grzimek, 1990; Hutchins, et al., 2003)

Major predators of long-tailed pangolins include leopards, pythons, and humans. Their scales are useful for protection against predators. When long-tailed pangolins are in the trees, these scales act as camouflage, and when an individual is threatened, it curls itself into a ball, so that only the scaled parts of its body are exposed. The sharp posterior edge of each scale sticks up slightly acting as armor and a potential weapon if the predator gets too close. (Anadu, et al., 1988; Angelici, et al., 2001; Feldhamer, et al., 2007; Grzimek, 1990; Happold, 1987; Henschel, et al., 2005; "Uromanis tetradactyla", 2008; Macdonald, 1985)

Long-tailed pangolins are important ants predators and likely have a significant influence on ant demographics throughout their geographic range. There is no information regarding parasites specific to this species.

Long-tailed pangolins are hunted and sold by native people as part of the bushmeat trade. A survey taken in Nigeria (Anadu et al., 1988) found that long-tailed pangolins were worth about 12 US dollars per kilogram. They are also killed for their scales, which are used in traditional medicines, as jewelry, and as good luck charms. (Anadu, et al., 1988; Angelici, et al., 2001; Feldhamer, et al., 2007; "Uromanis tetradactyla", 2008; Macdonald, 1985)

There are no known adverse effects of long-tailed pangolins on humans.

Although populations of Manis tetradactyla are declining, this species is still classified as "least concern" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is relatively widespread, resides primarily in protected areas, and is tolerant of moderate habitat modification. Manis tetradactyla is the least often observed of the African pangolin species, and populations may be larger than predicted. The bushmeat trade presents the greatest threat to the long-term survival of this species. (Anadu, et al., 1988; "Uromanis tetradactyla", 2008)