Pangolins’ diet and appearance earned them the nickname “scaly anteaters.” They resemble anteaters in feeding habits but are unrelated. Scales distinguish them from true anteaters. Termites and ants form the bulk of the diet. Convergent evolution explains similarities in body shape and feeding behavior. Nicknames reflect human attempts to categorize unusual animals.
It helps in public education and awareness. People remember them through analogies.
Understanding convergent evolution highlights ecological pressures shaping unrelated species.
Pangolins are not closely related to anteaters or armadillos.
National Geographic (nationalgeographic.com)