Pangolin (Manis temminckii) in the wild — Catch'Um species field guide

Pangolin (Manis temminckii) wildlife photograph

Overview

Pangolins are the only mammals covered in scales, keratin plates that protect them when they roll into a tight ball, presenting an impenetrable sphere to lions and leopards. They walk on hind legs, tail extended for balance, and use a long sticky tongue to slurp ants and termites from nests.

Tragically, pangolins are the most trafficked mammals on Earth, hunted for their scales in traditional medicine and for bushmeat. All eight species are threatened with extinction despite having no proven medicinal value.

Scientific nameManis temminckii
Length50–60 cm body; tail 40–50 cm
Weight7–18 kg
LifespanAround 10–20 years in the wild
DietTemminck's ground…
ConservationCritically Endangered
RegionForest & Grassland

Habitat

Savanna
Woodland
Dry forest
Grassland

Savanna woodland, forest, and grassland across sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia hold pangolins. The ground pangolin ranges from Kenya and Tanzania through southern Africa, foraging at night with a keen sense of smell.

Countries found

Field notes

Field scale for the Pangolin: length around 50-60 cm body; tail 40-50 cm; weight 7-18 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 10-20 years in the wild.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise savanna, woodland, dry forest, and grassland. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Only mammal covered in overlapping keratin scales; elongated snout, tiny eyes, and no teeth. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Diet

Temminck's ground pangolin feeds almost exclusively on ants and termites, extracted with a long sticky tongue.

Powerful foreclaws open nests; it does not chew, swallowing insects whole.

Behaviour

Nocturnal and usually solitary; walks with a hunched gait and may bipedalise with the tail for balance.

When threatened it rolls into a tight scaled ball that is hard for predators to open.

How to identify

Only mammal covered in overlapping keratin scales; elongated snout, tiny eyes, and no teeth.

Ground-living African species with a long tapering tail; pale underparts contrast with brown scales.

Interesting facts

01
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world, hunted for their scales.
02
Their scales are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails.
03
A pangolin's tongue can extend over 40 centimetres, longer than its body.

Conservation status

CR: Critically Endangered

All pangolin species are Critically Endangered or Endangered, devastated by illegal trade. International commercial trade is banned, but poaching continues across Africa and Asia.

Sources: IUCN Red List