Editing Ground pangolin (section)

== Physical description ==
Pangolins are almost completely covered in overlapping, protective scales,<ref name="WIAP">[http://savepangolins.org/what-is-a-pangolin/#Taxonomy "What is a Pangolin?"]</ref> which makes up about 20% of their body weight.<ref name="awf">African Wildlife Foundation.[http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/pangolin "Pangolin"]</ref> The scales are composed of [[keratin]], the same material that forms human hair and fingernails,<ref name="awf"/> and give pangolins an appearance similar to a pinecone or artichoke.<ref name="cnn">John D. Sutter, [http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/04/opinion/sutter-change-the-list-pangolin-trafficking/ "The Most Trafficked Animal You Have Never Heard Of"] CNN</ref> The underside of a pangolin is not covered with scales, but sparse fur, instead. When threatened, it usually rolls up into a ball, thus protecting its vulnerable belly.
Pangolins are {{cvt|30 to 90|cm}} long exclusive of the tail and weigh from {{cvt|5 to 27|kg}}. Across all eight species, adult tail length ranges from about {{cvt|26 to 70|cm}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/pangolin |title=pangolin {{!}} Description, Habitat, Diet, & Facts |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref> Mature adults are light brown, olive, and dark brown in color, while young are pale brown or pink in color.

Ground pangolins walk on their hind legs, occasionally using their forelegs and their tail for balance.<ref>Stuart, C.; Stuart, M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=pn7hoAEACAAJ&q=stuarts%27+field+guide+to+mammals+of+southern+africa "Stuarts' Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa: Including Angola, Zambia & Malawi"] {{ISBN|9781775841111}}</ref> They have five toes on each hind foot, while their forelimbs feature three long, curved central claws, accompanied by two smaller claws on the first and fifth digits.<ref name="Pietersen2020" /> The muscular forelimbs and central claws are adapted for breaking into ant and termite colonies, as well as excavating [[burrow]]s. Because of these claws, pangolins must balance on the outer edges of their fore feet and tuck in the claws to prevent damage. Pangolins have long, broad tails and small, conical heads with jaws that lack teeth. To replace the act of chewing, the pangolin stomach is muscular, with keratinous spines that project into the interior and contains [[Gastrolith|small stones]] to mash and grind prey, similarly to a bird's [[gizzard]]. Pangolins also have long, muscular tongues to reach and lap up ants and termites in cavities. Their tongues stretch so far, they are actually longer than their bodies. The tongue is attached in the lower cavity, near the pelvis and the last pair of ribs, and is able to retract and rest in the chest cavity. Pangolins have reduced [[Auricle (anatomy)|pinnae]], so they have poor hearing, as well as poor vision, although they do have a strong sense of smell.<ref name= "WIAP"/>