It might seem hard to imagine, but these near-mythical creatures that resemble a cross between a crocodile, armadillo, and dinosaur once lived in abundance and relative peace. According to CNN, little is known about these reclusive mammals in regards to diet and lifestyle. What is clear is that humans are their biggest — and perhaps even their only — predator. Such a fact is statistically significant because, at the hands of humanity, the pangolin population has decreased by approximately 50%.

At restaurant tables, pangolin meat is regarded as a delicacy, a risqué sort of “VIP experience.” While said to be illegal, many Vietnamese eateries display pangolin openly on menus and in jars beneath velvet coverings. At medicine shops, the highly sought-after pangolin scales and blood are said to cure all, from lactation to blood circulation to cancer (via National Geographic). However, the scales of this elusive mammal are made from a commonplace material, keratin, which is notably also found in fingernails, hair, and horns. Sadly, very few people have heard of the pangolin, which is why it is at risk of being silently ushered into extinction.