Pangolin

scales · insect-eaters · endangered · Asia and Africa

Super sticky tongue. A pangolin's tongue can be longer than its entire body. It uses this amazing tongue to reach deep into ant and termite nests and catch thousands of insects every single day.

Armor made of scales. Pangolins are the only mammals in the world covered head to toe in overlapping scales, kind of like a pine cone or artichoke. These tough scales protect them from predators and insect bites.

Live in two continents. Some pangolins live in Asia, while others live in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. They range from about as long as your foot to as long as your arm.

No teeth needed. Pangolins don't have any teeth because they don't need to chew their food. They swallow their meals of ants and termites whole, and their strong stomach muscles do the grinding work.

Curled up defense. When a pangolin feels scared, it rolls itself into a tight ball so that nothing can reach its soft underside. Its scales create an almost impenetrable shield.