Habitat:
Forests, scrublands and agricultural areas

Activity period :
Mainly active at night, generally discreet during the day.

Identification and description:
The Indian pangolin is a nocturnal insectivorous mammal, 40–65 cm excluding tail, covered in brown keratinous scales with a long prehensile tail. It inhabits forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, feeding primarily on ants and termites with its long sticky tongue. Largely solitary, it digs shallow burrows or shelters in abandoned termite mounds.

Recommended lens:
300 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
Photograph the Indian pangolin from a distance using a telephoto lens of ≥300 mm at dusk or dawn from a low hide near the ground. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze its slow movements and shallow depth of field to isolate its scales against the environment. Remain silent and patient.