White-bellied Pangolin

The white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) is one of eight extant species of pangolins ("scaly anteaters"), and is native to equatorial Africa. Also known as the tree pangolin or three-cusped pangolin, it is the most common of the African forest pangolins. == Description == Phataginus tricuspis is a relatively small pangolin. The combined head and body length is 33–43 cm (13–17 in). The tail is 49–62 cm (19–24 in). Each dark brown to brownish yellow scale has three points, to which the specific name tricuspis refers. (The Greek meaning of Phataginus tricuspis is "number by order"),These scales cover the whole body besides the face, underbelly, and insides of the legs. The scales are made of keratin, as are human fingernails, and are anchored at the base to the pangolin's skin. The head is small, and the snout is elongated. The feet are short, and each foot has five long curved claws. == Taxonomy == The white-bellied pangolin had belonged to the genus Manis and subgenus Phataginus before the latter was elevated to generic status. Two subspecies were recognized in 1972 by Meester: P. t. tricuspis P. t. mabirae (Uganda) The white-bellied pangolin, along with the long-tailed pangolin, make up the genus…