Topical Collection: Pangolin on Philippine Stamps

 

Topical Stamp | Animals | Mammal | Pangolin

 

The pangolin is a unique mammal known for its body covered in protective keratin scales. It belongs to the order Pholidota. There are eight living species of pangolins, classified into three genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia. Pangolins are found mainly in parts of Asia and Africa.

 

Long-tailed Pangolin
Phataginus tetradactyla

The Long-tailed Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) is found in parts of West and Central Africa. It mainly inhabits tropical forests, swamp forests, and areas near rivers and other sources of water. It has no teeth and feeds on ants rather than termites, which it catches using its long, sticky tongue. Long-tailed pangolins are mostly active at night and are excellent climbers, often spending much of their time in trees.

 

The pangolin depicted on the stamp was identified as a Philippine Pangolin, but it is actually a Long-tailed Pangolin. The original photograph, taken by Frans Lanting for the National Geographic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was used in the article How Simple Forensic Fingerprinting Could Help the World's Most Trafficked Mammal. The photograph was also used by WikiAnimals to illustrate its article about the Philippine Pangolin, which appears to have led to the animal being misidentified and subsequently misrepresented on the stamp. This stamp design error was brought to attention by Eric Cariaga in a post in the Facebook group of the Philippine Stamp Collectors' Society.

 

The Long-tailed Pangolin stamp (Scott #3634c) is part of the Philippine Endemic Wildlife miniature sheet of four stamps, released on November 11, 2015. The stamp has a face value of 15 piso.

 

Philippine Pangolin
Manis culionensis

The Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis) is a unique and endangered animal found only in the Philippines, particularly on Palawan and nearby islands. It is distinguished by its body covered in hard, overlapping scales, which provide protection from predators. The pangolin primarily feeds on ants and termites, using its long, sticky tongue to capture its prey.

 

Unfortunately, the Philippine Pangolin is threatened by illegal hunting, habitat loss, and the illegal wildlife trade. Its scales and meat are highly sought after, making the species particularly vulnerable to poaching. Protecting its natural habitat and enforcing wildlife protection laws are essential to ensuring its survival.

 

The pangolins found in the Philippines have undergone several taxonomic name changes. The species was first described as Pholidotus culionensis by Casto de Elera in 1915, who recognized it as a distinct species. However, because of its close resemblance to the Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), Philippine populations were later assigned to M. javanica or treated as its subspecies. Alfred Feiler published in 1998 a morphological study highlighting significant physical differences between the Palawan populations and other Southeast Asian pangolins. His research suggested that the Philippine population had been isolated for a sufficiently long period to warrant recognition as a separate species. Philippe Gaubert and Agostinho Antunes conducted a comprehensive morphological reassessment in 2005. Their study provided further evidence supporting the distinction between the Philippine and Sunda pangolins and helped establish Manis culionensis as a valid species. Today, the Philippine Pangolin, Manis culionensis (de Elera, 1915), is recognized as a distinct species endemic to the Palawan faunal region of the Philippines.

 

The 5-piso Philippine Pangolin stamp (Scott #1408) is part of the Philippine Animals issue, released on May 14, 1979. The 6-piso stamp (Scott #2311c), identified it as Scaly Anteater (Manis javanica), is part of the Endemic Philippine Mammals, released on August 12, 1994.

 

Note:

• Stamps are shown at actual size.
• Only Philippine stamps depicting an identifiable species of pangolin are included in this list.
• Scott Catalogue numbers are provided when available. When no country is specified, the Scott Catalogue number refers to a Philippine stamp.
• Created: 22 August 2026
• Updated: 29 August 2026 | Added a 1994 stamp showing a Philippine Pangolin.