Little Pangolin Having The Time Of Its Life While Taking A Mud Bath Is The Adorable Content We Need Right Now

“As soon as he finds a puddle of water, he usually rolls in it."

Damjan

• Published in Animals
• May 7, 2022

Meet Stevie, a hyperactive pangolin. When the baby pangolin isn't looking for termites, he relaxes in a mud bath or plays with whatever intriguing object he comes across on his daily travels.

“He thoroughly enjoys playing with rocks, tree branches, and even tree stumps,” Sarah Kempen, spokesperson for the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital (JWVH), says. “He will roll around these elements and has even been known to roll down small embankments and termite mounds.”

Stevie, a Temminck's pangolin, was saved from poachers when he was a newborn in Pretoria, South Africa. After being removed from his mother, Stevie was underweight and unwell when he was discovered by rescuers.

The scales of the pangolin are coveted for their use in traditional Asian medicine, and the meat is considered a delicacy. “As the most trafficked mammal in the world, their lives and ours are at risk,” Kempen said. “Thus, we have an off-site clinic where they are safe, away from our usual hospital grounds.”

Stevie's health improved in the hospital, and he swiftly gained weight. Now he is a healthy and active animal, embarking on adventures every day.

One of his favorite pastimes is taking long mud baths. Let's get to know Stevie better:

Meet Stevie the pangolin

Stevie was taught natural pangolin behavior by the medical personnel because he had been isolated from his mother at such an early age. Stevie, on the other hand, didn't need any help learning how to take a mud bath, which is one of his favorite pastimes.

“As soon as he finds a puddle of water, he usually rolls in it,” Kempen said. “This seems to cool him down substantially, which enables him to feed for longer and be more comfortable as he doesn't get so hot.”

And watch him doing his favorite thing in the whole world - taking a mud bath:

Stevie had been separated from his family at a young age

“Pangolin are known for mud/fresh dung baths,” Kampen added. “We believe this is to not only cool them down but to also potentially offer protection against parasites.”

Stevie is doing so well that he will be put back into the wild on a private reserve in the near future.

And the friendly staff at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital is teaching him about natural pangolin behavior

Stevie belongs to an endangered species and needs all the help he can get to learn how to survive in the wilderness

We have no doubt he will do fine

“For the first few weeks, he will be monitored carefully and will be taken out on daily walks as he acclimatizes himself to his new surroundings and food sources,” Kempen said.

“After some time, he will be ready for full release where he will be free to roam and monitored continuously to ensure his safety. The conservationists will also monitor his weight and progress to ensure that he is happy and healthy.”

Stevie's rescuers have ensured that the little pangolin will be able to enjoy many more years of carefree mud bathing.

Damjan