Pangolin.

8 species of Pangolin live throughout the tropics of Africa and Asia. It was originally thought these were related to anteaters / sloths / armadillos. However, it turns out its not really closely related with any living groups. If traced far enough, it's related to cats, dogs and bears -- but that's quite a long time ago that they shared an ancestor. Before discovering this different, they were thought to be related to anteaters and armadillos because of their scales, shape and lack of teeth (so they slurp up termites).

They're the only mammal with keratin scales as their defense, and often remind people of reptiles, though they are not.

Their defenses: scales / armor, claws and finally, an odor secretion similar to those of skunks.

Their name comes from the Malay "Pengguling" meaning "something that rolls up." More creative than when Americans name things that roll up ("fruit roll-up").

Pangolins face many threats: Bush meat in Africa, habitat destruction (deforestation), use of hide and scales for making armor for kings and finally it is sometimes used in traditional chinese medicine to supposedly help blood circulation and produce more milk for breast-feeding mothers.

UPDATE: New report about illegal trading.