P. tricuspis Skull Replica measures 3 inches. P. tricuspis Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Also known as the Tree Pangolin.
The Tree pangolin or P. tricuspis is one of eight extant species of pangolins (“scaly anteaters”), and is native to equatorial Africa. Also known as the white-bellied pangolin or three-cusped pangolin, it is the most common of the African forest pangolins.
P. tricuspis or Tree pangolin is a relatively small pangolin. The combined head and body length is 33–43 cm (13–17 in). The tail is 49–62 cm (19–24 in).
Each dark brown to brownish yellow scale has three points, to which the specific name tricuspis refers. These scales cover the whole body besides the face, underbelly, and insides of the legs.
The P. tricuspis scales are made of keratin, as are human fingernails, and are anchored at the base to the pangolin’s skin. The head is small, and the snout is elongated. The feet are short, and each foot has five long curved claws.
The Tree Pangolin or P. tricuspis is an intriguing organism characterized by a plethora of unique attributes. One notable characteristic that warrants scientific attention is the extraordinary armor-like scales possessed by these organisms. These scales serve a dual purpose, functioning as both a defensive barrier and an exceptional adaption.
The P. tricuspis or Tree pangolin ranges from Guinea through Sierra Leone and much of West Africa to Central Africa as far east as extreme southwestern Kenya and northwestern Tanzania.
To the south, it extends to northern Angola and northwestern Zambia. It has been found on the Atlantic island of Bioko, but no records confirm a presence in Senegal, Gambia, or Guinea-Bissau.
