World Pangolin Day 2014 - What is a pangolin?

A Better World

The name pangolin comes from the Malay word “pengguling” which means 'something that curls up'. When threatened, pangolins curl into a ball in order to protect themselves.

Pangolins are mammals and are covered with tough and overlapping scales. These scales are made of keratin-like substance similar to finger nails, and make up approximately 20% of the pangolins body weight.