All models

How to fold an origami pangolin

Fold a long kite body that tapers into a thick tail and swing short legs down. A row of crimps arches the back into overlapping scales and curls the tail; one more tips the head down.

You need: 1 bronze-brown square (15 cm or bigger), scissors and a black pen. Hard, 23 steps, about 40 minutes.

Steps

  1. Crease the middle. White side up, turned like a diamond, fold the top corner down to the bottom corner, crease and unfold.
  2. Kite. Fold the edges at the left point in on creases from the point to 6.4 cm above and below the middle crease. That end is the pangolin's head.
  3. Narrow the other end. Fold the edges at the right point in on creases from the point to 5.3 cm above and below the middle crease. That end is the tail.
  4. Tummy corners. Fold the top and bottom corners in on creases 4.7 cm above and below the middle crease. They will be hidden inside.
  5. Fold in half. Fold the top half down onto the bottom half along the middle crease. The long fold on top is the back, the flat bottom is the tummy.
  6. Crease a strip. Fold the bottom edge up 1.1 cm, all layers together, and crease it hard. This strip gives the legs.
  7. Open it. Unfold the strip again.
  8. Slit the legs. Cut along the strip crease from the front end in 1.6 cm, and from the back end in 1.8 cm.
  9. Front legs. Swing the front strip down on slanted creases from its inner end, the front layers one way and the back ones behind, a little apart.
  10. Back legs. Swing the back strip down the same way, the front layers forward and the back ones behind.
  11. Scales 1: crease. Fold the tail end over on an upright crease 2.7 cm from the tail tip, all layers together.
  12. Scales 1: crimp. Fold it back on a crease slanting from the same top point, so the tail curls down further.
  13. Scales 2: crease. Fold the tail end over on an upright crease 5 cm from the tail tip, all layers together.
  14. Scales 2: crimp. Fold it back on a crease slanting from the same top point, so the tail curls down further.
  15. Scales 3: crease. Fold the tail end over on an upright crease 7.6 cm from the tail tip, all layers together.
  16. Scales 3: crimp. Fold it back on a crease slanting a little from the same top point. The ledge is a row of scales.
  17. Scales 4: crease. Fold the tail end over on an upright crease 9.9 cm from the tail tip, all layers together.
  18. Scales 4: crimp. Fold it back on a crease slanting a little from the same top point. The ledge is a row of scales.
  19. Scales 5: crease. Fold the tail end over on an upright crease 12.1 cm from the tail tip, all layers together.
  20. Scales 5: crimp. Fold it back on a crease slanting a little from the same top point. The ledge is a row of scales.
  21. Head: crease. Fold the head point over on an upright crease 5 cm from its tip, all layers together.
  22. Head: crimp down. Fold it back on a crease slanting from the same top point, so the small pointed head tips down.
  23. Snout. Fold the very tip of the head behind, 0.8 cm from the point, all layers together, so the snout is small and blunt.

Armoured and adorable!

Draw a small shiny eye on the pointed head and little curved scales in rows over the back and tail.

What to fold next