Pangolins game c

The agreement, approved today by a federal judge, requires the agency to decide by June It responds to a petition and subsequent lawsuit filed by conservation groups to force the government to make a decision on pangolins and ultimately ensure the United States fully bans pangolin trade.

Pangolins are in grave danger of extinction. Their scales are in high demand in traditional Chinese medicine, and their meat is consumed as a delicacy in some Asian countries. Listing pangolins as endangered would zero-out the U. Between and , more than a million pangolins were illegally traded—an average of nearly animals killed per day.

Despite a ban on international commercial trade in pangolins, illegal trade has continued and likely increased: the largest seizure ever occurred in Singapore in , representing tens of thousands of dead pangolins. While most illegally sourced pangolins are destined for markets in China and Vietnam, a U. The Endangered Species Act is the strongest tool we have to stave off extinction of our most imperiled species. If pangolins are protected as endangered, the law bans import and interstate sale of pangolin parts in the United States, except for scientific or other conservation purposes.

Listing would also heighten global awareness about pangolins and the threats they face and make funding available for anti-trafficking and habitat conservation efforts. The Natural Resources Defense Council NRDC is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since , our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment.

Visit us at www. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1. Infants are about 15 centimeters long and weigh about 3 to 16 ounces at birth.

Their pale, soft scales begin to harden by the second day. The baby is folded in the mother's lap or rolled-up body. Nursed for 3 to 4 months, it begins to eat termites at 1 month. At this time the infant begins to accompany the mother, perhaps riding on the base of her tail. If the mother senses danger, then the baby slips under her and is protected when she rolls up her body.

They remain in their burrows during the day and come out at night to hunt. It uses its keen sense of smell to locate termite and ant nests, digging the insects from mounds using its claws and eating them with its extremely long tongue which can be up to 41 centimeters.

In some cases, this mammal's tongue is actually longer than their body. Large salivary glands coat the tongue with gummy mucus to which ants and termites stick. When digging for insects, it can constrict their ears and nostrils to keep them out while feeding.

They prefer sandy soils and can be found in woodlands and savannas that are within reach of water. They are dispersed throughout Southern, Central, and East Africa. Unleash more canine heroes to save elephants. Donate now. Learn how we're protecting Africa's species each and every day so we never have to live in a world without elephants, rhinos, and other precious wildlife.

Breadcrumb Wildlife Conservation Pangolin. What is a pangolin? Scientific name. From 1. From 30 to centimeters 12 to 60 inches depending on the species. Life span. Little data, estimated up to 20 years. Leopards, hyenas, humans. There are. African species. Scales make up for. Challenges Demand for pangolin scales and meat is driving this mammal to extinction.

Solutions We are protecting this scaly mammal from extinction:. Promote public awareness. In the Field.