Friday, April 10, 2009

Be Nice To The Manis Pentadactyla

The Chinese pangolin, an endangered species native to the forests and grasslands of central and southeast Asia, is covered with scales made from keratin. If frightened, this little fella rolls up and extends his scales into a phalanx of sharp blades. It also can target foes with jets of foul-smelling liquid.
Photograph by D. Finnin/American Museum of Natural History

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