Giant Pangolin

Smutsia gigantea

Conservation Status

Endangered

Mammalia · Pholidota · Manidae

About

The giant pangolin is a species of pangolin from genus Smutsia of subfamily Smutsiinae within the family Manidae. It is the largest living species of pangolins. Members of the species inhabit Africa with a range stretching along the equator from West Africa to Uganda. It subsists almost entirely on ants and termites.

Fun Fact

Giant pangolins are the largest of all pangolins, reaching 1.8 metres long, and they walk exclusively on their hind legs with their front claws curled under — one of the very few mammals that are naturally bipedal.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Tropical forests and savannas

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

13-20 years

Threats

Genetic Bottleneck
Deforestation
Poaching
Small Population Size

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

More Mammals Species

Abbott's Duiker EN Abbott's Gibbon EN Addax CR African Elephant EN African Forest Elephant CR African Wild Ass CR

Browse all Mammals →