Have you ever heard of a pangolin? Apparently a lot of people who have never heard of these creatures. Conservation groups say the pangolin is a mammal in the world's most widely smuggled. The US government asked to enter the anteater to the list of endangered animals.

Rosalyn Morrison of Born Free USA said pangolins ever occupy most of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

"Pangolin indeed mammals most threatened in the world today. There are eight species of pangolin in the world, four in Asia and four in Africa. They are mammals and entire body covered in scales from head to tail. The scales are made of keratin, the same elements with nail us, "he said.

Born Free USA and other groups asked for seven of the eight species of pangolin is protected under the Endangered Species Act of the United States. One species had been included in the endangered list.

"Pangolin endangered because in some places in Asia and Africa believe that the scales they have medical benefits. And they are also highly sought after to be taken scales and meat, which in many Asian and African countries are considered a delicacy, "said Morrison.

China and Vietnam is the largest market of illegal pangolin products, and is also the biggest market for ivory and rhino horn.

"Although extremely rare pangolin, many people do not even know if it exists anteater. They could become extinct before people know about pangolin. The reason why many people do not know much about these mammals is because they are nocturnal creatures or night. They are very difficult to find. So it is difficult for scientists to meet with in nature and they also can not be bred in captivity. Pangolin rarely found in zoos. Looks like pangolins are found only in three zoos in the world, "he said.

Pangolin populations declined drastically.

Morrison said, "We found that more than 960,000 illegal pangolin trade over the past decade. So if compared with the number of elephants and rhinos, much less. "

There is a market in the US for illegal pangolin products. Pangolin insert into the list of endangered species will ban the import and sale of the animal, the animal or body part. Morrison said the move will also increase awareness of mammals that has a very long tongue and sticky.

Morrison said the extinction of anteaters could damage the ecosystem.

"They set the insects. They eat ants and termites. So if pangolin extinct, there will be a domino effect on the ecosystem. "

Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society International, The Humane Society of the United States and the International Fund for Animal Welfare joined by Born Free USA in the filing of this petition to the US government.