Photo: Sakchai Lalit

The rolled up animals above look like they belong in sci-fi movies, but they're actually quite real. And apparently, quite yummy.

Thai officials rescued 171 pangolins, described by some as "walking pine cone," in Thailand. The shy and defenseless animals are hunted for their meat and their scales which are used in Chinese medicine.

Phaedra Singelis of MSNBC's Photo Blog has the story and pics: Link