**Pangolins walk on their knuckles** for good reason: to protect their powerful claws—essential tools in their survival. Exploring **pangolin behavior**, scientists have found that their curious gait helps prevent claw wear and tear while navigating various terrains. This behavior, called **knuckle-walking in pangolins**, evolved as an adaptation not just for **claw protection in pangolins**, but also for thriving amid environmental threats like habitat loss.
In this fascinating article, we’ll dive deep into **why pangolins walk on their knuckles**, trace the **evolution of knuckle-walking in pangolins**, and examine how this behavior is shaping—and being shaped by—modern conservation efforts. We’ll also look at how critical this unique locomotion is to preserving what’s left of these heavily trafficked mammals and what we can all do to help protect them. Whether you’re a wildlife lover, student, or conservationist, this guide brings biomechanical insights and conservation urgency together in a story that matters.