Solitary, chiefly burrowing and nocturnal mammals of the order Pholidota. They have bodies, tails and heads encased in sharp scales, which protect them when rolled up into a ball when threatened. Also called scaly anteaters, pangolins are myrmecophagous mainly eating ants and termites and are distributed in the warmer parts of the Asia and the Africa continents. Chinese pangolins are a potential intermediate DISEASE RESERVOIR of COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2.

Annotation

do not confuse entry term SCALY ANTEATERS with ANTEATERS see VERMILINGUA

DUI

D000086642 MeSH Browser

CUI

M000732732

History note

2021

Public note

2021