Are pangolin scales really just tools for self-protection, or do they have other functions that we haven't discovered yet?
Pangolins: Myths and Truths on the Brink of Extinction
In the topic of environmental protection and wildlife conservation, pangolins have always been an object of much attention. In recent years, there has been a notion that pangolins are not endangered. While it is true that human activities and illegal hunting have had an impact on pangolin populations, they have not reached the point of extinction. According to this view, pangolins are highly adaptable and able to survive in different environments, so their populations are likely to recover.
What we need to be clear about is that the number of pangolins is indeed decreasing. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), pangolin populations are declining. This is mainly due to human activities and illegal hunting. Pangolin scales are widely used in traditional medicine and ornament making, resulting in them being hunted in large numbers. In addition, due to the advancement of urbanization, the habitat of pangolins is decreasing.
Although pangolin populations are decreasing, they are not endangered or critically endangered. According to the IUCN's assessment criteria, a species is classified as endangered or critically endangered only if its population has declined to a certain extent, or if its habitat is seriously threatened. At present, the number of pangolins has decreased, but it does not meet this standard.
In addition, pangolins have a strong ability to adapt to survive, which is an important reason why they are able to survive difficult situations. Pangolins are the only mammal in the world that is covered in scales, and this unique physiology allows them to survive in a variety of environments. For example, they can find food and habitat in different ecosystems such as deserts, forests, grasslands, etc. In addition, pangolins have a strong defense mechanism, and when faced with a threat, they will roll into a ball and defend themselves with hard scales.
Although pangolins are highly resilient to survival, effective conservation measures are still needed to protect them. We need to step up our crackdown on illegal hunting and smuggling of pangolin scales. We need to protect and restore pangolin habitats and reduce the impact of human activities on their habitats. We need to strengthen environmental education for the public and raise people's awareness of wildlife conservation.
While pangolin populations are decreasing, they are not on the verge of extinction. This does not mean that we can ignore the protection of them. Instead, we should take more effective conservation measures to protect this unique biodiversity. At the same time, we should also be wary of statements that exaggerate the facts to avoid causing unnecessary panic and misunderstanding. Only in this way can we truly protect our home planet and protect the right of every living thing to live.
The Versatility of Pangolin Scales: Beyond the Boundaries of Self-Protection
In nature, the survival strategies and physiological characteristics of living organisms are often to meet their basic needs for survival. Pangolins, widely regarded as an important tool for their protection, are much more functional than we think. While it is true that pangolins' scales can defend themselves against some predators, their main function is not to protect themselves, but to regulate body temperature and help dig caves. This discovery shatters our traditional understanding of the function of pangolin scales and allows us to re-examine the habits and survival strategies of this mysterious animal.
What we need to understand is that pangolins live in hot environments, so it is crucial for them to keep their body temperature stable. Pangolin scales play a key role here. Their scales contain a large amount of keratin, a substance that has good heat conductivity. When the ambient temperature rises, the pangolin's body dissipates heat through its scales, which cools down. Conversely, when the ambient temperature drops, the pangolin's scales prevent excessive heat loss from the body and keep the body temperature stable. This ability to self-regulate body temperature allows pangolins to survive in extreme environments.
Pangolin's scales also help them avoid injury when digging burrows. Pangolins are nocturnal animals that spend most of their time underground, feeding on ants and termites. During the excavation of the cave, the scales of the pangolin played a protective role. Their scales are hard and wear-resistant, which can effectively resist the friction of soil and rocks during excavation, preventing injuries to the body. At the same time, the shape of the scales also allows pangolins to move flexibly in narrow burrows.
Despite the many functions of pangolin scales, these unique creatures are now facing serious existential threats due to overhunting and habitat destruction by humans. Pangolin scales are traded in some places as precious medicinal herbs or ornaments, further exacerbating the pangolin's survival woes. Therefore, we need to pay more attention to wildlife conservation, stop the illegal hunting and trafficking of pangolins and their products, and allow these unique creatures to thrive in their natural environment.
Pangolin scales are not all used for self-protection, but have multiple functions to regulate body temperature and help dig caves. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the ecological habits of pangolins, but also reminds us that the survival strategies and physiological characteristics of organisms are often diverse, and we need to understand and respect them from multiple perspectives. At the same time, we should also pay more attention to wildlife protection, so that these unique creatures can survive in the natural environment.
In future research, we will further explore other possible functions of pangolin scales in the hope of better understanding this mysterious animal. At the same time, we also hope that through more popular science education, the public can understand the importance of wildlife conservation and work together to protect the earth's biodiversity.
"After learning about the ecological habits and survival strategies of pangolins, should we revisit our understanding and actions on wildlife conservation? "