Ground Pangolin
Manis temminckii
Also known as: Cape Pangolin, Temminck's Pangolin
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Invertebrate
Active Time
Nocturnal
Size
7.2 kg
About This Species
Typically found in open savanna, woodland, and scrub habitats, this armored mammal forages alone at night, moving slowly along the ground with its nose low, methodically investigating termite mounds and ant nests with its long, sticky tongue. Look for a hunched, shuffling silhouette moving through low vegetation, and listen for the dry rustle of scales brushing against grass or the faint scraping of powerful claws breaking into hardened termite structures. Dry-season nights offer the best viewing conditions, as reduced ground cover makes detection easier and activity near reliable termite mounds becomes more predictable — spotlight drives through suitable habitat between dusk and midnight yield the highest encounter rates.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Maintain a minimum distance of 50 metres and use binoculars or a long lens to observe without causing stress, as this species is highly sensitive to disturbance and will curl into a defensive ball if threatened — a posture that increases its vulnerability.
- Across its southern and eastern African range, it receives legal protection under national wildlife legislation in countries including South Africa (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act), Zimbabwe (Parks and Wildlife Act), and Botswana (Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act), with additional international safeguards under CITES Appendix I prohibiting commercial trade.
- If encountered, remain still and downwind, keep noise to an absolute minimum, never attempt to touch or handle the animal, and withdraw quietly if it shows any signs of awareness of your presence.
Seasonal Activity
166 sightings · 2003–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Pholidota
- Family
- Manidae
Traits
- Diet
- Invertebrate
- Foraging
- Ground
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Body mass
- 7.2 kg
Photo
(c) Michael 2020, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Michael 2020
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.