Smallest species of pangolin
- Who
- Long-tailed pangolin, Phataginus tetradactyla
- What
- 80 centimetre(s)
- Where
- Not Applicable
- When
- 21 November 2017
The smallest species of pangolin is the long-tailed or black-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) of central and westernmost Africa, which measures approximately 80 centimetres (2 feet 7 inches) in total length. Its lengthy tail can account for almost two-thirds of its body.
A long-tailed pangolin weighs in the region of 2–2.5 kilograms (4 pounds 6 ounces–5 pounds 8 ounces).
Phataginus tetradactyla also holds the record of most bones in a tail (mammal), with 46-47 vertebrae in its tail.