The pangolin is a small mammal that is well-known for its unique appearance and its habit of rolling up into a ball when threatened. Perhaps you’ve heard of them before, or perhaps they just tickled your curiosity. Either way, the pangolin may seem like an interesting pet to you, and if you are thinking about getting one as a pet, here’s some information you should know before taking the plunge.
Can You Have A Pangolin As A Pet?
Yes, it is possible to have a pangolin as a pet; however, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and not domesticated. As such, they require a lot of space and need to be able to roam free in order to be healthy and happy. They are also nocturnal creatures so should be kept in an area where they can get plenty of dark. Finally, it is important to remember that pangolins are endangered, so please do your research before deciding if one is the right pet for you.
Where Do Pangolins Live?
- Pangolins live in Asia and can be found in the forests of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Although they are native to tropical regions, pangolins are also commonly kept as pets in the United States.
- Pangolins live in trees, usually between 25 and 35 meters high (about 80-115 feet) but sometimes higher than this. They like to sleep in a ball for protection from predators such as snakes and hawks.
- The pangolin is a herbivore; it eats leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, and tree bark. The pangolin’s diet consists of up to 90% plant material while the remaining 10% is made up of insects and small animals such as lizards or mice.
How Do You Care For A Pangolin?
Be sure you have the right environment
Pangolins are nocturnal animals, so they will be active during the night. They are also solitary creatures, meaning that they won’t be happy living with other animals of the same kind, like other pangolins. This means that if you do decide to get a pangolin as a pet, it would be best if you had your own private space in which to keep him or her.
Pangolins are not easy to feed
The pangolin’s diet consists mainly of ants and termites, which makes them an expensive pet to feed at first glance. In order to make sure your pangolin is healthy and getting enough nutrition from his or her diet, you will need to feed them a variety of different insects every day for about two months before moving on to other foods like fruits and vegetables. Depending on how much food you give them each day, this may or may not be a problem for you.
Pangolins have very specific sleeping patterns
Pangolins are nocturnal animals, meaning that they are active during the night, and they tend to sleep during the day. This means that if you do decide to get a pangolin as a pet, you will need to make sure that they have their own space during the day where they can sleep, and also that you don’t disturb them while they are sleeping in order to ensure their safety. Some pangolins can be startled awake by noises at night, so it is best if you keep your pangolin away from loud noises and other unexpected disturbances at night.
Pangolins are not good pets for children
Pangolins are nocturnal animals, meaning that they are active during the night, and they tend to sleep during the day. This means that if you do decide to get a pangolin as a pet, you will need to make sure that children don’t disturb them while they are sleeping in order to ensure their safety. Some pangolins can be startled awake by noises at night, so it is best if you keep your pangolin away from loud noises and other unexpected disturbances at night.
Pangolins have very specific feeding habits and may be aggressive when hungry or hurt.
Pangolins have very specific feeding habits and must eat ants and termites every day for about two months before moving on to other foods like fruits and vegetables. Depending on how much food you give them each day, this may or may not be a problem very small, and they are nocturnal animals that are not very active during the day. This means that young children may not be able to handle them. Also, pangolins are nocturnal animals, so they can be a little difficult to handle if they aren’t socialized with other pangolin species at an early age.
Is The Pangolin The Right Pet For You?
The Pangolin Is a Mammal
The pangolin is not a reptile, and it is not a bird. It is a mammal, and that means that it requires food, water, and shelter. If you are thinking about getting one as a pet for your children, then you should know that this animal needs to be housed in an enclosure large enough for it to thrive in (at least two square feet per animal).
The Pangolin Is a Touchy Subject
The pangolin has become increasingly rare in recent years due to the illegal trade of its scales. The scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine as an ingredient in certain tonics. A large percentage of the illegal trade is thought to take place in Africa. This has led some countries like Vietnam and China to ban the trade of these animals entirely. Others have implemented regulations regarding their possession as pets or as souvenirs (Vietnam). Even so, these regulations have done little to stop the illegal trade of pangolins.
Pangolins Are Endangered
The pangolin is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2012). This means that it is categorized as “Critically Endangered” and that it has a very high risk of extinction in the wild (IUCN). It is also listed in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1979). These regulations have been put into place to try to protect the species from being over-hunted for their scales. However, these regulations do not cover the illegal trade of pangolins, which continues to be a problem today.
The Pangolin Is a Vulnerable Species
The pangolin is also vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and degradation (IUCN, 2012). There are many factors that contribute to this vulnerability, including the illegal trade of these animals. Also, the pangolin is an endangered species in some of its range countries (Vietnam, China). To learn more about pangolins and their conservation status, visit the Pangolin Conservation page on the IUCN Red List website.
The Pangolin Has a Very Small Population
Currently, there are only nine countries from which pangolins can be legally exported for commercial use (Vietnam). However, there are many more countries where pangolins can be traded illegally for their scales. Many of these countries do not have laws or regulations in place against this trade (Vietnam). This means that it is possible for people living in these in many parts of the world.
Conclusion
Pangolins are appealing because of their unique appearance and behavior. However, they require a lot of care, and many pangolins are illegally obtained. If you are interested in getting a pangolin as a pet, you should consider adopting one instead. You can also speak to local wildlife officials to see if they have any pangolins that need a home. With the right care and effort, pangolins make wonderful pets.
