Pangolin: The Armoured Mammal

Pangolin: A Creature That Doesn’t Quite Fit Any Box

Most people never see a pangolin in real life, and when they finally do, the first reaction is usually confusion. The animal looks like someone stitched together ideas from different species. You notice the scales first, then the shy face beneath them, and it suddenly becomes clear that you are looking at a mammal trying very hard not to be seen. Pangolins wander quietly through forests, grassy plains, or rocky slopes across Asia and Africa. They prefer the night, avoid noise, and rarely cross paths with people. Because of this, scientists spent decades trying to understand their routines, and even today there is a sense that we know only a fraction of their story. What we do know is that these unusual animals are now central to many conservation projects, partly because they are fascinating and partly because they are disappearing far too quickly.

Pangolin 

What We Know About Them

All pangolins are mammals. They sit in their own order called Pholidota and belong to the family Manidae. There are eight species that we currently recognise. Every species has a coat of keratin scales, the same material in human nails. When they feel threatened, pangolins simply roll up like a tight ball, letting the scales act as armour. Most of them spend their nights digging, hunting insects, and using their long sticky tongues to scoop up ants and termites. Fully grown individuals range widely in size. Some stay small, others can weigh more than thirty pounds. Across every region, they share the same problems: habitat loss, illegal trade, and the difficulty of growing their numbers because they reproduce slowly.

Important Details & Classification

• Classification:

  Mammal; Order Pholidota; Family Manidae; eight known species in Africa and Asia.

Distinctive Characteristics:

• Body covered with keratin scales

• Ability to curl into a tight ball for defense

• Exceptionally long sticky tongue

• Primarily nocturnal

• Strong digging claws

Key Facts/Figures:

• Some pangolin species can reach more than 30 pounds

• Tongue length may stretch a third of the body

• Scales are constantly growing

A Long and Unusual History

If you try sorting mammals by appearance alone, pangolins never fall neatly into any familiar group. Their scales overlap like shingles, giving them an almost prehistoric look. When threatened, they curl up so tightly that even lions and leopards find it hard to harm them.

This kind of armour did not evolve suddenly. It developed over millions of years. Early pangolins probably needed protection as they pushed into termite mounds or squeezed into tight holes. Curiously, although people often compare them to anteaters, they are not close relatives. Genetic studies show that pangolins are more distantly related to carnivores like cats and hyenas. Their evolutionary path drifted in a strange direction, leaving them completely unique among mammals.

Because they are so elusive, researchers still struggle to predict their behaviour. A study from South Africa observed that scales become thicker and darker as pangolins age. This simple observation helped scientists estimate ages of wild individuals, allowing better population tracking.

Where They Live

Pangolins live across several countries, and each species has its own preference. Some choose open grasslands, others stay deep inside forests. The Ground Pangolin moves through dry regions in southern Africa, while the Sunda Pangolin prefers Southeast Asian forests. They might dig burrows, hide in hollow trees, or settle inside rock crevices. Their habitats range from humid lowlands to cool highlands.

Their presence affects the environment more than people realise. Farmers in Thailand often mention that termite numbers drop when pangolins visit their orchards. In parts of Angola, pangolin burrows help loosen hard soil, improving airflow and supporting plant growth. All of this creates a cycle: healthier plants support more insects, and those insects feed the pangolins.

Despite playing an important ecological role, they are rarely seen. Even experts working in national parks in Ghana or Cambodia often go years without spotting one. Their nightly routes can be long and unpredictable, and they avoid open, well-lit areas.

Built for Insects

Everything about a pangolin’s body seems designed to handle termites. Its strong claws break open nests that many larger animals cannot touch. Once the mound is open, the pangolin’s tongue shoots out quickly and collects insects using its sticky surface. Since they lack teeth, they rely on a muscular stomach that uses swallowed stones to grind food. This internal grinding is unusual among mammals but suits their insect diet perfectly.

These specialised needs also explain why pangolins do so poorly in captivity. They require very specific food, calm surroundings, and large spaces. Rescue centres in Vietnam, Botswana, and several other countries often struggle to keep rescued pangolins healthy, which is why many conservationists focus on protecting natural habitats instead.

Life Cycle

Pangolins give birth to just one pup at a time. The newborn arrives with soft scales, which harden gradually. The pup rides on the mother’s back or tail when she moves around at night. Mothers guard their young closely. If danger comes too close, the mother curls into a protective ball around the pup.

Their slow reproductive rate makes population recovery extremely difficult. Even experienced teams in Asia and Africa find it hard to maintain stable breeding groups. Every successful birth in the wild therefore becomes extremely valuable for the species.

Why They Need Help

Pangolins are believed to be the most trafficked mammals on the planet. Their scales are illegally sold for traditional medicine, while the meat is used in expensive dishes in some regions. Neither practice has proven scientific value, yet demand remains high.

Large shipments of scales have been seized from several countries over the last few years. Along with trade pressure, pangolins are losing forests and safe pathways because of expanding cities, farming, and road networks in places like Vietnam, India, and southern China.

Still, there is hope. In Rwanda, teams monitor pangolin routes at night to reduce hunting. In India, community groups talk to farmers about the benefits pangolins bring to crops. Centres in Laos work quietly to release rescued pangolins into safe areas without drawing attention.

Every effort, whether big or small, helps keep these unusual mammals from slipping away forever.

FAQs

1. Why do people call the pangolin the armoured mammal?

   Because its body is covered in keratin scales that form a natural shield.

2. How many species of pangolin exist today?

   Eight species live across Africa and Asia.

3. Are pangolins related to anteaters?

   No. Despite their similar diet, they’re genetically closer to carnivores.

4. What do pangolins eat most often?

   Ants and termites, which they collect with a long sticky tongue.

5. Where do pangolins live in the wild?

   In areas that include West and East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and southern China.

6. Why are pangolins trafficked so much?

   Their scales and meat are targeted for illegal trade, even though neither has proven medicinal or health value.

7. Can pangolins survive in captivity?

   They rarely do well because they need large areas, live insects, and calm environments.

8. How do pangolins help their ecosystems?

   They control insect populations and improve soil quality through burrowing.

9. How does a pangolin defend itself?

   It curls into a ball, showing only its hard scales.

10. What is the biggest challenge facing pangolins today?

    Illegal trade, followed closely by habitat loss.