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Ground pangolin
The ground pangolin (''Smutsia temminckii''), also known as Temminck's pangolin or the Cape pangolin, is one of four species of pangolins which can be found in Africa, and the only one in southern and eastern Africa. The animal was named for the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. As group, pangolins are among the most critically endangered animals in the world.
==Physical description==
Although their outward appearance appears to be reptilian, pangolins are mammals. Pangolins are almost completely covered in overlapping, protective scales,〔("What is a Pangolin?" )〕 which makes up about 20% of their body weight.〔African Wildlife Foundation.("Pangolin" )〕 The scales composed of keratin, the same organic material that forms human hair and fingernails,〔 and give pangolins a similar appearance of a pinecone or artichoke.〔John D. Sutter, ("The Most Trafficked Animal You Have Never Heard Of" ) CNN〕 The underside of a pangolin is not covered with scales, but sparse fur instead. When threatened, it usually will roll up into a ball, thus protecting its vulnerable belly.
Depending on the species, pangolin weight varies from 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg) to 73 lbs. (33 kg) and their length range from 12 to 39 in. Mature adults appear in colors of light brown, olive, and dark brown while young are pale or pink in color.
Pangolins walk on all four of their stout limbs, which are adapted for digging. Their limbs have five toes each with the forefeet having three long, curved claws, which are designed to demolish termite nests and to dig burrows. Because of these claws, pangolins must balance on the outer edges of their forefeet and tuck in the claws in order to prevent damage. Pangolin have long, broad tails and small, conical heads with jaws that lack teeth. To replace the act of chewing, the pangolin stomach is muscular, with keratinous spines that project into the interior and contains small stones to mash and grind prey, similarly to a bird’s gizzard. Pangolins also have long, muscular tongues to reach and lap up ants and termites in cavities. Their tongues stretch so far they are actually longer than their bodies. The tongue is attached in the lower cavity, near the pelvis and the last pair of ribs, and is able to retract and rest in the chest cavity. Pangolins have no external ears, and therefore poor hearing as well as poor vision, although they do have a strong sense of smell.〔
抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』
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