Pangolin: The Scaled Mammal That’s the World’s Most Trafficked Animal

Common Name(s):
Pangolin, Scaly Anteater (for African species: Ground Pangolin, Temminck’s Pangolin, Cape Pangolin)

Scientific Name:
Smutsia temminckii (Ground Pangolin – the largest African species)

Type:
Mammal – Pholidota order – Insectivore (myrmecophagous)

Origin and Distribution:
Native to sub-Saharan Africa. The four African pangolin species are found across Central, East, and Southern Africa; Temminck’s ground pangolin ranges from South Africa north to Kenya and Chad.

Habitat:
Savannas, woodlands, grasslands, and sandy soils with termite mounds. Nocturnal and solitary; digs deep burrows for shelter.

Physical Description:
Unique among mammals: body covered in overlapping keratin scales (like armor). Adults 30–100 cm long (plus 40–70 cm prehensile tail), weigh 4–18 kg. Scales sharp and protective; when threatened, curls into an impenetrable ball. Long snout, no teeth, sticky tongue up to 40 cm long for catching insects. Strong claws for digging.

History and Cultural Significance:
Pangolins have existed for ~80 million years (fossil records). In African traditions, scales used in medicine and rituals. Globally, now symbol of wildlife trafficking crisis—poached for scales (believed medicinal in Asia) and meat.

Behavior and Lifestyle:
Strictly nocturnal, solitary (except mothers with young). Walks on hind legs with tail for balance; excellent digger and climber. Diet: ants and termites (up to 70 million per year per pangolin). Mothers carry babies on tail/back. When threatened, rolls into ball or emits foul smell.

Conservation Status and Threats:
Critically Endangered (African species on IUCN Red List). All eight pangolin species are the most trafficked mammals in the world—over 1 million poached in the last decade. Threats: illegal trade (scales/meat), habitat loss, electrocution on fences. Protected internationally (CITES Appendix I); rescue/rehab efforts growing in Africa.

Fun Facts

• Only mammal fully covered in scales – made of keratin (like your fingernails).
• Tongue longer than its body, stored in a chest pouch.
• Can consume 200,000 ants in one night.
• Babies ride on mom’s tail for months – one of nature’s cutest sights.
• When curled, even lions can’t pry them open.

Best Places to See It in the Wild:
Rare and elusive, but possible in Kruger National Park (South Africa), Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa), Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (South Africa), or with specialist night drives in Zimbabwe/Botswana.