How Do You Spell PENGOLIN?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛŋɡəlˌɪn] (IPA)

The word "Pangolin" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription of [pæŋɡəlɪn]. The first letter "p" is pronounced with an unvoiced bilabial plosive sound [p]. The vowel sound is "æ" which is pronounced as an open front unrounded vowel [æ]. The next two letters "ng" combine to form a velar nasal sound [ŋ]. The letter "o" is pronounced as a mid-back rounded vowel [əʊ]. Finally, the word ends with the "lin" sound which is pronounced with a dark l [l̴] and an unvoiced alveolar plosive [ɪn].

PENGOLIN Meaning and Definition

  1. A pangolin, commonly known as a "Pengolin," is a unique, scaly mammal belonging to the family Manidae. There are eight known species of pangolins, all of which are native to Africa and Asia. This solitary creature is primarily nocturnal, spending its days hidden in burrows or tree hollows. Its most distinctive feature is its overlapping protective scales, which are made of keratin and serve as a formidable defense mechanism against predators. When threatened, a pangolin rolls itself into a tight ball, leaving its scaly armor exposed, providing vital protection.

    Pangolins possess a long, elongated snout and a large, sticky tongue, perfectly adapted for their insectivorous diet, consisting mainly of ants and termites. Using its keen sense of smell, this creature effortlessly detects ant hills or termite mounds. It then swiftly employs its tongue to extract the insects, often consuming thousands in a single night. Its diet is complemented by a lack of teeth, relying instead on a muscular stomach able to grind up the insects with the help of stones or grit.

    Unfortunately, pangolins are highly sought after for their scales and meat, making them the most trafficked mammal in the world. Poaching and habitat destruction have had devastating effects on their population, resulting in a significant decline. Conservation efforts are essential to protect these unique and remarkable creatures, as well as to raise awareness about their critical role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Common Misspellings for PENGOLIN

  • -pangolin
  • pangollin
  • oengolin
  • lengolin
  • -engolin
  • 0engolin
  • pdngolin
  • prngolin
  • p4ngolin
  • p3ngolin
  • pebgolin
  • pemgolin
  • pejgolin
  • pehgolin
  • penfolin
  • penvolin
  • penbolin
  • penholin
  • penyolin
  • pentolin

Etymology of PENGOLIN

The word "Pangolin" is derived from the Malay term "pengguling", which means "something that rolls up". This term refers to the pangolin's natural defense mechanism of rolling into a tight ball when threatened. The Malay word eventually made its way into English as "pangolin", referring to this unique animal.

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