# Pangolin (*Manis spp.*)

> Pangolins are shy, ant- and termite-eating mammals covered in overlapping keratin scales — the only mammals with this armour. Eight species live in Africa and Asia; all face severe pressure from illegal wildlife trade. Adults weigh roughly 2–35 kg depending on species and can live around 20 years in the wild.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Critically Endangered
- **Range:** Forests and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia, including India and Indonesia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/pangolin/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Pholidota
- **Family:** Manidae
- **Genus:** Manis

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Manis spp. |
| Diet | Ants and termites |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical forests and savannas in Africa and Asia |
| Lifespan | Up to 20 years in the wild (longer in captivity) |
| Weight | 2–35 kg (4–77 lb) depending on species |
| Top speed | Slow walker; can roll into an armoured ball when threatened |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |

## Scales and specialised feeding

Pangolin scales are made of keratin — the same protein as human fingernails — and overlap like roof tiles. They have no teeth; a sticky tongue up to 40 cm long reaches into termite mounds and ant nests, while powerful claws tear open insect colonies.

## Nocturnal and solitary

Most pangolins forage alone at night, relying on smell to locate insect colonies. When threatened they curl into a tight ball that protects the soft belly, presenting only hardened scales to predators such as leopards and hyenas.

## Trafficking crisis

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals on Earth. Scales are wrongly used in traditional medicine despite no proven efficacy, and meat is sold as a luxury. All eight species are now protected under CITES Appendix I, yet poaching and habitat loss continue.

## Conservation efforts

Rescue centres, anti-poaching patrols, and demand-reduction campaigns operate across Africa and Southeast Asia. Seizures of tonnes of scales show the scale of illegal trade — protecting forest habitat and prosecuting traffickers remain urgent priorities.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are pangolins related to anteaters?

No — they look similar because both evolved to eat ants and termites (convergent evolution), but pangolins are related to carnivorans while anteaters are South American xenarthrans.

### Are pangolins endangered?

Yes — all eight species are threatened with extinction. Three are Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, largely due to illegal wildlife trade.

### Do pangolins bite?

They rarely bite; their main defence is rolling into a scaly ball. They may swipe with sharp claws if handled.

### Where do pangolins live?

Forests and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia, including India, China, and Indonesia.

### Why are pangolins trafficked?

For their scales (used in traditional medicine) and meat. Trade is illegal under international law, yet remains the primary threat to every species.

## Sources

- Challender, D. W. et al. (2019). Manis spp. IUCN Red List assessments.
- [Animal Diversity Web — Manis spp. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Manis/)

---
Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/pangolin/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.