Skip to content
Pangolins curl up into a ball when they feel threatened.
Pangolins curl up into a ball when they feel threatened. Photo: Isaac Kasamani (AFP via Getty Images)

Unfortunately, pangolins are one of the most illegally traded mammals on the planet. They’re in high demand in countries like China and Vietnam, where people consider their meat to be a delicacy. Pangolin scales are also used in traditional Chinese medicine and folk remedies, although some wildlife conservation groups argue that there are ample sustainable substitutes for the scales.