Black-bellied pangolin
Phataginus tetradactyla
Background & Distribution
The black-bellied pangolin has large scales which are often a rich ochre colour with dark borders. The skin is black, contrasting with the ochre scales and resulting in this species arguably being the most beautiful of the pangolin species. On average, they are about 85–110 cm in length and weighing up to 3.5 kg (although usually weighing 1–2 kg). The tail can measure up to 60 cm long. It is readily identifiable by its small body size and very long tail. This species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a population that is believed to be decreasing.
Ecology
Very little is known about this rare pangolin species. It is virtually entirely arboreal (tree pangolin) and diurnal – with individuals resting in tree hollows and dense foliage at night – and it is probably the most habitat-specific of the four African pangolin species. Black-bellied pangolins are often found in tropical riverine and swamp forests usually close to water, but occasionally found in tropical lowland forests away from water.
Range
This species is patchily distributed in Central and West Africa, occurring from Sierra Leone to Ghana, with an apparent gap in its distribution before it reappears in Central Africa – occurring from Nigeria to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Reproduction
Virtually nothing is known of the breeding biology of this species. Females have been recorded giving birth to a single pup after a gestation period of 140 days, and probably give birth to a single pup each year.
Diet
The black-bellied pangolin is believed to be strictly myrmecophagous (ant- and termite-eating), possibly specialising on arboreal ant species. They are said to eat Crematogaster, Cataulacus, Oecophylla and Polyrhachis ant species. Although these are all observations and nothing has been published as yet.