Learn More About Pangolins
Pangolins are among the most unique and intriguing animals in the natural world. They are also a misunderstood and mistreated animal that needs our help.
At Pangolin.Africa, we aim to spread knowledge and awareness about pangolins that can help build a community of people who want to save the pangolin.
Learn more about these charismatic creatures by reading the fascinating facts below then join us in protecting them.
Watch: Eye of the Pangolin
This ground-breaking documentary follows two men on a mission to capture the four species of African pangolins on camera – follow them and fall in love with these extraordinary creatures.
Pangopedia & FAQ
Despite what many may think, pangolins are not reptiles but actually mammals. Although their overlapping scales can make them look reptilian, pangolins are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and produce milk to feed their pups — all defining characteristics of mammals.
Pangolins are the only mammals wholly covered in overlapping keratin scales. These scales act as armour against natural predators. Smaller species gain protection from birds of prey and snakes, while larger species may deter predators such as leopards, hyenas and even lion.
There are eight species of pangolins, and they live in various habitats, from tropical forests to arid savannas.
Four pangolin species can be found across Asia: the Indian pangolin, the Chinese pangolin, the Sunda pangolin, and the Philippine pangolin.
The four African pangolin species, which are the focus of our efforts, are found across southern, west, central, and east Africa. These are the Temminck’s ground pangolin, Giant ground pangolin, the Black-bellied pangolin, and the White-bellied pangolin.
Pangolins are insectivorous and feed primarily on ants and termites. It is estimated that a single adult pangolin can consume more than five million insects in a year.
Little is known about the lifespan of pangolins in the wild. Documented cases suggest that pangolins can live up to 20 years in captivity.
However, pangolins are highly specialised animals and have historically been difficult to maintain in captivity, which is why they are rarely seen in zoos.
While pangolins do share a few characteristics and behaviours with armadillos, they are not related. Surprisingly, they are more closely related to cats, dogs, and bears!
Pangolins vary greatly in size across the eight species. The smaller species, such as the White-bellied pangolin, typically weigh around 1–3 kg, while the largest species, the Giant ground pangolin, can weigh 30 kg or more. Male pangolins are often slightly larger than females, although by how much varies by species and region.
The eight pangolin species have many similarities in their characteristics and habits but there are a few key differences.
Africa has two larger species (generally over 8 kg) and two smaller species (typically 1–3 kg).
The two larger African species are terrestrial. The giant ground pangolin, reaching up to around 30kg, is substantially larger and often close to twice the size of the Temminck’s ground pangolin.The two smaller African species are arboreal. The white-bellied pangolin has relatively uniform scale colouring and noticeable grey or whitish body hair. The black-bellied pangolin has longer, narrower scales, often tipped pale or ivory.
Asia has one larger species and three medium-sized species.
The Indian pangolin is the largest Asian species (approximately 8–16 kg) and is terrestrial. It can be distinguished from the smaller Chinese pangolin (around 3–5 kg), which is also primarily terrestrial. The Sunda pangolin and Philippine pangolin are very similar in appearance. They are best distinguished by geography. The Sunda pangolin is widespread across Southeast Asia, while the Philippine pangolin is restricted to Palawan and nearby islands.
When threatened, pangolins may first freeze or find cover. If the threat is close, they roll into a tight ball, protecting their vulnerable head, legs and soft underside beneath overlapping scales. In this defensive posture, the tail is wrapped firmly around the body and cannot easily be pulled open. Pangolins may lash their tails, and the sharp edges of the scales can cause injury. This armour provides effective protection against many natural predators.
Pangolins are capable swimmers, but they prefer to stay on land. Interestingly, pangolins can sometimes be found mud bathing which is a great way to get rid of external parasites.
Pangolins communicate primarily through scent. They use urine and secretions from anal glands to leave scent cues, which are thought to play a role in territory and reproduction.
They produce very few vocal sounds. Pangolins may occasionally make audible wheezing or breathing sounds, but most communication appears to rely on scent rather than vocalisation.
Pangolins give birth to live young, usually a single pup, although twins are occasionally recorded. Pups are born with soft scales that harden within a few days. Mothers shelter their young in burrows or tree hollows and leave them while foraging, returning periodically to nurse them. As the pup grows, it often rides on the base of the mother’s tail or back before gradually becoming independent.
Because pangolins produce few offspring, their populations recover slowly when numbers decline.
Pangolins play an important ecological role in both African and Asian habitats. As specialised predators of ants and termites, they help regulate insect populations.
Through their digging and burrowing, pangolins also contribute to soil turnover and aeration. This can improve soil structure and influence nutrient cycling, while their abandoned burrows may provide shelter for other species.
Pangolins have relatively poor eyesight and rely mainly on their strong sense of smell and hearing to detect food and potential threats. Their acute sense of smell helps them locate ants and termites hidden underground or inside nests.
All eight pangolin species are threatened with extinction and are listed on the IUCN Red List, ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered depending on the species.
The primary threat to pangolins is illegal trade. They are heavily targeted for their scales, which are used in some traditional medicine systems, and for their meat.
In Africa, additional threats include electrocution on electric fences, road mortality, and habitat loss. Because pangolins reproduce slowly and typically produce only one pup at a time, populations recover very slowly once they decline.
Pangolins are primarily hunted for illegal trade. Their scales, which are made of keratin — the same material as human hair and nails — are used in some traditional medicine systems, despite there being no scientific evidence that they have medicinal value.
Pangolins are also hunted for their meat, which is consumed locally in parts of Africa and Asia and, in some regions, sold into illegal wildlife markets.
Pangolins are classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered depending on the species, according to the IUCN Red List.
Although researchers and conservationists continue to study pangolin populations, it is not currently possible to provide an exact global population estimate. Pangolins are elusive and secretive, which makes them difficult to survey accurately.
What we do know is that several species have experienced documented population declines and reductions in their geographic range due to illegal trade and habitat loss.
All eight pangolin species are protected under international law, and commercial international trade is prohibited under CITES. However, continued conservation action is needed to address illegal trade and habitat loss.
Efforts to protect pangolins include reducing demand for scales and meat through public awareness campaigns, strengthening law enforcement and anti-poaching efforts, improving international cooperation to combat trafficking, supporting community engagement initiatives, and conducting research to better understand and monitor wild populations.
The key to pangolin conservation is to raise awareness about pangolins. This can be done by sharing reliable and well-researched information on social media and with friends and family.
Donating to verified pangolin-centred NGOs / NPOs goes incredibly far toward supporting Pangolin conservation efforts.
For example, when donating to Pangolin.Africa, all funds go towards much-needed research of the four African species of pangolins, and to implementing protection and rehabilitation projects on the ground.
No. Pangolins are strictly protected under national and international law, and in most countries it is illegal to keep them as pets.
They are solitary, highly specialised wild animals with very specific dietary and environmental needs. Pangolins are easily stressed by handling and human interaction, and they do not adapt well to captivity.
Seeing a pangolin in the wild is a rare privilege. If you encounter one, observe from a distance and do not approach, handle, or disturb it — even if it appears calm or curled up.
Keep noise to a minimum and allow the animal to move away naturally. If the pangolin appears injured or in danger, contact the relevant wildlife authority rather than intervening yourself.
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