Home › Mammalia › Manidae › Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)
SPECIES PROFILE
Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)
Smutsia
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Eastern and southern Africa
DIET
Insectivorous
HABITAT
Savanna and woodland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Pholidota
FAMILY
Manidae
GENUS
Smutsia
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1 m incl. tail; 5-18 kg
COLORATION
Covered in overlapping brown keratin scales
ADAPTATIONS
Rolls into an armoured ball; long tongue laps up ants
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Savanna and woodland
DIET
Insectivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Eastern and southern Africa
REPRODUCTION
Single pup carried on the tail
DIET DETAILS
Ants and termites
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Poaching for scales; most trafficked mammal
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The only mammal covered in scales, and sadly the most trafficked wild mammal in the world.
2
When threatened it curls into a ball so tight even a lion cannot open it.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Hwange National Park
Mana Pools NP
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
May-September
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely rare and nocturnal; night drives with expert guides give the only realistic chance.
