Himalayan Pangolin:
Researchers have revalidated and concluded that the Himalayan pangolin (Manis aurita) is a distinct extant species, separate from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla).
- Himalayan Pangolin scientific name is Manis aurita
- It went through a demographic contraction around the 14th century, coinciding with the onset of the Little Ice Age in the Himalayan region.
- It is significantly larger in body size and skull.
- It paradoxically has markedly smaller ears. It also has a shorter and broader nasal bone.
- It has enlarged olfactory bulb and turbinals, using smell to forage for ants and termites.
- Its distribution is restricted to the southern Himalayan foothills, with confirmed populations in Nepal, South Tibet, and Northeast India, including the state of Assam.
- It is facing illegal wildlife trade.
- The products from this species have infiltrated regulated traditional medicine markets.
- It is also facing an internal threat of inbreeding.
