I had never even heard of these animals, mammals also called scaly anteaters. There are 4 Asian & 4 African species, and they are highly endangered due to poaching. They are considered a delicacy by people in China & other parts of Asia, and the scales (which are nothing more than keratin, like our nails) are used in potions. One variety runs on its hind legs like tiny T Rexes. They are adorable and it is disgusting that tens of thousands are being killed, like the ortolans in France, for human ego. Also, the ecology of the areas where they live will change for the worse without enough of these animals, which control the ant and termite populations.
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