Chris Packham passionate about Pangolin research

9 years ago AfriCat's Patron - TV presenter, conservationist, photographer, author and so much more - CHRIS PACKHAM Chris Packham visited AfriCat for a catch-up and of course to make a lifelong wish of seeing a PANGOLIN - 'come true', as his 50th birthday gift to himself!

AfriCat was not researching pangolin and the Okonjima nature reserve Okonjima Nature Reserve - Home of AfriCat had spotted a few over the years, but no one really knew anything about them or how many lived here.
Chris did not have much to go on when he did his stand-up for the camera as most printed information about the pangolin then - was more speculation than proven science. . .
so yes-
diurnal foraging, the pointed scales, the smaller size DOES suggest this was a juvenile.
today however our and other research has found that it most probably would not go back to the parent’s burrow. Once they are weaned at about 3-4 months, they start foraging on thier own and often more likely use 'known burrows' within their natal range- instead of going back to mum's burrow. . .
slowly they become more independent from mum and during cold nights they will forage during the warmer, late afternoon hours instead of the cold winter nights.
*fathers have rarely been observed in the upbringing of their young.
Young individuals however have thin, brittle scales, making them more susceptible to predation and injury.
Healthy adults have thick and sharp scales which are an effective defense against predators. Researchers often find blood on the scales as a result of defense.
Unfortunately, their defensive stance of rolling into a ball is WAHT MAKES THEM VULNERABLE TO POACHERS!

https://africat.org/pangolin-research/