pangolin

American  

[pang-guh-lin, pang-goh-] / ˈpæŋ gə lɪn, pæŋˈgoʊ- /

noun

1. any mammal of the order Pholidota, of Africa and tropical Asia, having a covering of broad, overlapping, horny scales and feeding on ants and termites.

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pangolin British  

/ pæŋˈɡəʊlɪn /

noun

1. Also called: scaly anteater.  any mammal of the order Pholidota found in tropical Africa, S Asia, and Indonesia, having a body covered with overlapping horny scales and a long snout specialized for feeding on ants and termites

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Etymology

Origin of pangolin

1765–75; < Malay pengguling (dial. or bazaar Malay name for the animal) one who rolls up, equivalent to peng- agentive prefix + guling roll up or around; so called from its habit of curling into a ball when threatened

Example Sentences

At a South African rescue centre, a pangolin pup rests wrapped in a blanket.

From BBC

Poaching is still a challenge in Uganda, where authorities have arrested and prosecuted individuals found with ivory, pangolins and other endangered species, conservationists report.

From BBC

That puts places like Okomu, a tropical forest in the country's southwest -- and the endangered buffalo, forest elephants and white-bellied pangolins that live in it -- increasingly at risk.

From Barron's

All the springboks playing baseball, the pandas who controlled the big wooden slides, even the nerdy pangolins who played D&D in the shade of the library.

From Literature

But many lack proven scientific value, while conservationists warn that demand for certain products drives trafficking in endangered wildlife, including tigers, rhinos and pangolins.

From Barron's