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what type of animal is a pangolin

A pangolin is a scaly, insect‑eating mammal (often nicknamed a “scaly anteater”), not a reptile.

Quick Scoop: What type of animal is a pangolin?

  • Pangolins are warm‑blooded mammals that belong to their own order, Pholidota.
  • They are the only mammals on Earth covered in protective keratin scales (the same material as human fingernails).
  • Their favorite food is ants and termites, which they slurp up with a very long, sticky tongue, so they’re classed as insectivorous mammals.
  • Because of their scaly look, people often mistake them for reptiles, but biologically they’re closer to other placental mammals.

In short, if you’re wondering “what type of animal is a pangolin?” — it’s a highly specialized, scale‑covered mammal that eats insects.

TL;DR: Pangolins are not reptiles; they are unique, scale‑covered mammals that mainly eat ants and termites.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.