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'{{Short description|Species of pangoblin}} {{Speciesbox | name = Philippine pangolin | image = Philippine Pangolins by Gregg Yan.jpg | image_caption = An adult Philippine Pangolin and her pup photographed in the forests of Palawan | status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Schoppe, S. |author2=Katsis, L. |author3=Lagrada, L. |date=2019 |title=''Manis culionensis'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T136497A123586862 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T136497A123586862.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | status2 = CITES_A1 | status2_system = CITES | status2_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref> | genus = Manis | parent = Paramanis | species = culionensis | authority = ([[Casto de Elera|de Elera]], 1895) | range_map = Philippine Pangolin area.png | range_map_caption = Philippine pangolin range }} [[File:Philippine pangolin 2015 stamp of the Philippines.jpg|alt=Philippine Pangolin on a stamp|thumb|Philippine pangolin on a 2015 stamp of the Philippines]] The '''Philippine pangolin''' or '''Palawan pangolin''' ('''''Manis culionensis'''''), also locally known as '''''balintong''''', is a [[pangolin]] [[species]] [[endemic]] to the [[Palawan]] province of the [[Philippines]]. Its habitat includes primary and secondary forests, as well as surrounding grasslands. This species is moderately common within its limited range, but is at risk due to heavy hunting because of its valued scales and meat.<ref>[http://www.fieldmuseum.org/philippine_mammals/Manis_javanica.htm ''Manis culionensis''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318021932/http://www.fieldmuseum.org/philippine_mammals/Manis_javanica.htm |date=2009-03-18 }} in A synopsis of the mammilian fauna of the Philippine Islands. The Field Museum.</ref> This species is distinguished from the closely related Sunda pangolin by its smaller body-to-tail ratio, smaller scales, and a shorter head. It is listed as ''Critically Endangered'' by the IUCN, and ''Critically Endangered'' by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).<ref>[http://www.pangolinsg.org/pangolins/philippine-pangolin/ "Philippine Pangolin"]. Pangolinsg.org. Retrieved on 2016-06-22.</ref> ==Taxonomy== [[File:Taxidermied_Philippine_Pangolin_displayed_at_Philippine_National_Museum.jpg|thumb|Taxidermied [[Philippine Pangolin]] displayed at [[National Museum of the Philippines|Philippine National Museum]].]] The species was first described by [[Casto de Elera]] in 1885; it was also mentioned by de Elera in an 1895 work.<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Pholidota | id = 13900010 | page = 530}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/agk2371.0001.003.umich.edu <!-- quote=de Elera zoologist. --> Catálogo sistemático de toda la fauna de Filipinas: conocida hasta el presente, y á la vez el de la colección zoológica del Museo de PP. Dominicos del Colegio-universidad de Sto. Tomás de Manila, escrito con motivo de la Exposición Regional Filipina] Imprenta del Colegio de Santo Tomás, 1895</ref> In the past, this species has been included with the [[Sunda pangolin]], ''Manis javanica'', but has been considered a distinct species since 1998.<ref>[https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=727709 ITIS Standard Report for '&#39;Manis culionensis'&#39; Taxonomic Serial No.: 727709]. Itis.gov. Retrieved on 2016-06-22.</ref> Five distinct morphological characteristics involving the skull and the scales have been identified which separate it from the closely related ''M. javanica''. Both ''M. javanica'' and ''M. culionensis'' are grouped in [[subgenus]] ''Paramanis''.<ref>[https://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?id=13900005 Paramanis] in Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the world: 3rd Edition</ref> Genetic isolation leading to the [[speciation]] between these species is hypothesized to have been caused by rising sea levels severing a [[land bridge]] from [[Borneo]] in the [[Early Pleistocene]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1644/1545-1542(2005)86[1068:ATTSOT]2.0.CO;2|year=2005|volume=86|issue=6|pages=1068|title=Assessing the Taxonomic Status of the Palawan Pangolin Manis Culionensis (Pholidota) Using Discrete Morphological Characters|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|last1=Gaubert|first1=Philippe|last2=Antunes|first2=Agostinho|doi-access=free}}</ref> The [[Generic name (biology)|generic name]] ''Manis'' is from the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] [[chthonic deity]] [[Manes]], while the [[specific epithet|specific name]] ''culionensis'' refers to the island of [[Culion]] in [[Palawan]].<ref name="Schoppe">{{cite book |last1=Schoppe |first1=Sabine |last2=Katsis |first2=Lydia K.D. |last3=Alvarado |first3=Dexter |last4=Acosta-Lagrada |first4=Levita |editor1-last=Challender |editor1-first=Daniel W.S. |editor2-last=Nash |editor2-first=Helen C. |editor3-last=Waterman |editor3-first=Carly |title=Pangolins: Science, Society and Conservation |date=2019 |publisher=Academic Press |chapter=Philippine pangolin ''Manis culionensis'' (de Elera, 1915) |isbn=9780128155066 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zey_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PR5}}</ref> The local name ''[[wikt:balintong|balintong]]'' (also {{transl|cyo|halintong}} or {{transl|cyo|malintong}}) means "one who rolls over" or "one who somersaults" in the [[Visayan languages|Visayan]] [[Cuyonon language]]. Other names in Cuyonon include {{transl|cyo|balekon}} or {{transl|cyo|balikon}} and {{transl|cyo|goling}}, with the same meaning. In the [[Palawan language]], it is also known as {{transl|plw|tanggiling}} (also spelled {{transl|plw|tangiling}}), also with the same meaning.<ref name="Vergara">{{cite book |last1=Vergara |first1=Benito S. |last2=Idowu |first2=Panna Melizah H. |last3=Sumangil |first3=Julia H. |last4=Gonzales |first4=Juan Carlos |last5=Dans |first5=Andres |title=Interesting Philippine Animals |publisher=Island Publishing House, Inc. |isbn=9718538550 |url=http://scinet.dost.gov.ph/union/UploadFiles/download.php?b=nast_Vergara%20BS%202000%20Interesting%20Philippine%20Animals_423.pdf&f=../Downloads/nast_Vergara%20BS%202000%20Interesting%20Philippine%20Animals_423.pdf&t=application/pdf}}</ref> == Description == The Philippine pangolin is roughly {{convert|30|to|90|cm|in}} long, plus a {{convert|26|to|88|cm|in}} tail. It weighs {{convert|2 to 77|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pholidota-pangolins|title=Pholidota (Pangolins) {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref> Philippine pangolins in captivity can live up to approximately 20 years.<ref name=":1" /> It is covered in small triangular scales made of [[keratin]] everywhere except the underbelly and face, making up at least 20% of the body weight.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/ecology/animals/vertebrates/pangolin|title=pangolin|website=InfoPlease|language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> It regrows new scales when they are lost and always has the same number of scales throughout their lifespan. The scales come in shades of brown, yellow and olive, making for adequate camouflage at night.<ref name=":2" /> Newer offspring have much softer scales than adults and tend to weight about {{convert|90|-|500|g|oz}}.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Areas of the body without scales are covered in a layer of hair.<ref name=":2" /> The Philippine pangolin has five sharp claws per foot and powerful appendages used for digging. However, these claws are not used as weapons for attacking or defending other animals. Pangolins can also run solely on their hind legs for a duration, using their tail for balance.<ref name=":2" /> Its tail is [[Prehensility|prehensile]], allowing it to grab onto branches or stand on its hind legs, despite being covered in scales.<ref name=":1" /> The tail also aids the species with climbing and standing upright or to be used as a weapon to puncture enemies using its sharp scales.<ref name=":2" /> The Philippine pangolin's tongue can stretch up to 25&nbsp;cm (10 inches) long and is coated in an adhesive saliva that is helpful for catching insects.<ref name=":1" /> Its head is cone shaped with a long snout and no teeth.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> ==Diet== The Philippine pangolin is a [[myrmecophagy|myrmecophage]], so has a diet consisting mainly of but not limited to termites and ants. It has in incredible sense of smell that it uses to find its food. The Philippine pangolin is seem to have strong preferences when it comes to the insects they eat, selectively consuming a certain species of ant or termite they like, or even actively avoiding certain species when there is enough of a food abundance to be picky.<ref name=":2" /> Its forefeet are used to dig into mounds and logs while its tongue harvests insects.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The pangolin will only ever eat a portion of a termite or ant colony, leaving most of the mound/hill intact for the colony to regrow and act as a continuous food source for the pangolin later down the line.<ref name=":2" /> It consumes sand and small stones to help grind food in their stomachs.<ref>[http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/pangolins/philippine_pangolin.html Philippine Pangolin]. The Animal Files. Retrieved on 2016-06-22.</ref> ==Behavior== [[File:A pangolin in defensive posture, Horniman Museum, London.jpg|thumb|A Philippine Pangolin rolled in a ball, defending itself with its scales]] [[File:Philippine Pangolin Curled-up by Gregg Yan.jpg|alt=Philippine Pangolins by Gregg Yan|thumb|A Philippine Pangolin pup nudges its mother, rolled up into a protective ball.]] The Philippine pangolin is [[nocturnal]] and reclusive, tending towards being solitary or in pairs.<ref name=":1" /> Because they are mainly active at night, their eyesight is below average.<ref name=":2" /> While their hearing is still only about average, they make up for their lack of vision with their extraordinary sense of smell.<ref name=":2" /> It generally travels slowly, but can move in a short burst towards safety when it becomes startled, and even has a limited ability to swim.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Occasionally, it can be seen standing on its hind legs, balancing on its tail, to help detect nearby predators.<ref name=":2" /> While some of their time is spent on the ground foraging, Philippine pangolins are [[Arboreal locomotion|arboreal]], and tend to stay in the tree canopy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> When sleeping, they prefer to take refuge inside hollow trees.<ref name=":2" /> When threatened, they, like all pangolins, secrete a foul odor and roll into a ball, relying on the protection provided by their scales.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/pangolin|title=pangolin {{!}} Description, Habitat, Diet, & Facts|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2020-03-23}}</ref> Many even sleep rolled up into a ball to protect themselves while they are unaware.> They are not known for being territorial animals, but they may be seen leaving their scent to let others know they've taken refuge there for a while.<ref name=":2" /> ==Reproduction== While little is known about the reproduction of Philippine pangolins, their mating habits are thought to be similar to those of the Sunda pangolin. Like most pangolins, Philippine pangolins mate in the spring. The same odorous secretion used as a self-defense mechanism is also used in mating habits. The secretion is used by males to assert against other males, attract a mate, and are used by the mother while nurturing their young.<ref name=":2" /> The young are born after a gestation period around 18 weeks and are suckled by their mothers about four months.<ref>Helmsworth, A. (2011). [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Manis_culionensis ''Manis culionensis'']. Animal Diversity Web.</ref> Usually only one offspring is born at once, and they are carried around on the mothers back for a time.<ref name=":1" /> When sleeping or threatened, the mother tends to roll in a ball for defense like usual, but with the young cradled in a ball of their own, encompassed in the mother's ball. At the age of about 5 months, young will separate from their mother. Female pangolins even adopt lone young that have lost their own mother.<ref name=":2" /> == Hunting and conservation == The Philippine pangolin, much like every other species of pangolin, is considered threatened due to how sought after they are to hunters. Other than the meat, which is a delicacy in certain Asian cultures, the Philippine Pangolin is hunted for their scales, organs, and skin, which are used in traditional medicine.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In 2016, the [[CITES|Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)]] listed the animal as protected under Appendix I (meaning commercial international trade was prohibited) due to how much international trade influenced pangolin hunting.<ref name=":1" /> The [[Zoological Society of London]] has listed the mammal as an [[EDGE species]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/philippine-pangolin/|title = Philippine Pangolin}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Manis culionensis}} {{Wikispecies|Manis culionensis}} * [https://www.pangolinsg.org/pangolins/philippine-pangolin/ IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group – Philippine pangolin] {{Pholidota}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q1339663}} [[Category:Manis]] [[Category:Myrmecophagous mammals|Pangolin, Philippine]] [[Category:Mammals of the Philippines]] [[Category:Endemic fauna of the Philippines]] [[Category:Fauna of Palawan]]'