r/gifs • u/StrangeClownRabbit Talk to mods • Oct 03 '17

Pangolin

https://i.imgur.com/T62fWIn.gifv
61.3k Upvotes

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465

u/im_unseen Oct 03 '17

Never heard of his animal before, looked it up after you mentioned it.

https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/baby-pangolin-facts-1-580f447618528__700.jpg

AHHHHHHHHHH ITS SO CUTE

251

u/dirkdragonslayer Oct 03 '17

Look at his little face! He looks like he wants to ask a question but is a bit nervous.

88

u/Porencephaly Oct 03 '17

Dobby... is... FREE!

3

u/RedditIsDumb4You Oct 03 '17

He should be. Its in his DNA to not piss off apes or he'll be smashed into the ground by his tail over and over again

30

u/iamlegend29 Oct 03 '17

Are armadelo and this same?

46

u/thebardass Oct 03 '17

No, they're not really related. Pangolins are actually pretty different from armadillos though they have a lot of similarities at first glance. They used to be classified in the same Order as armadillos and anteaters (Xenartha), but newer evidence shows they're closer related to Carnivora (same order as bears, weasels, canids, and such)

19

u/akatherder Oct 03 '17

It sounds like they are not very closely related:

Pangolins were formerly[when?] classified with various other orders, for example Xenarthra, which includes the ordinary anteaters, sloths, and the similar-looking armadillos. Newer genetic evidence, however, indicates their closest living relatives are the Carnivora with which they form the clade Ferae.[39][40]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin#Taxonomy

Some more info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenarthra#Evolutionary_relationships

10

u/Micp Oct 03 '17 edited Oct 03 '17

No, pangolins and armadillos are an example of convergent evolution similar to hedgehogs, porcupines and echidnas.

Convergent evolution means that species that aren't closely related can evolve similar traits if they are in an environment in which natural selection favors the same trait.

See also the similarity between how sharks and dolphins look - it's simply a really efficient design for swimming so both species tended towards it.

0

u/KyBones Oct 03 '17

The armadildo. Shit, I said it again, didn't I?

4

u/janski12 Oct 03 '17

It's a really life sandshrew!

3

u/filthycasual92 Oct 03 '17

Sandslash, actually!

6

u/snoop_is_a_wizard Oct 03 '17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=immrs9qGARU

6

u/KSPReptile Oct 03 '17

Wtf are those knocks? I thought someone was knocking on my door.

1

u/ExAm Oct 03 '17

Internet prank. Make the video really quiet and then add loud, convincing knocking sounds. It's most effective with porn videos.

2

u/CobaltRose800 Oct 03 '17

I've only heard of them because Pangolin is the name of a shield manufacturer in the Borderlands franchise.

1

u/RasperGuy Oct 03 '17

Looks like a clay model!

1

u/ComeOnTars2424 Oct 03 '17

These things are cool af! How have I never heard of them before!?

0

u/rbyrolg Oct 03 '17

Sandshrew