Pangolins are distinctive mammals covered by large, overlapping scales, earning them the nickname “scaly anteaters.” These solitary, nocturnal creatures are found across Africa and Asia, consuming ants and termites using their long, sticky tongues. While they possess an effective defense against most threats, their greatest danger remains human poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. In the wild, pangolins must navigate natural predators, which vary significantly depending on the species and environment.
Major Mammalian Hunters
The primary predators of adult pangolins are large, powerful terrestrial carnivores. In Africa, the threat comes mainly from lions and spotted hyenas, while in Asia, leopards and tigers represent the most significant danger. These animals are often the only ones strong enough to potentially breach the pangolin’s tough, keratinous defense.
African lions have been observed attempting to prey on pangolins, but they frequently abandon the effort after finding the rolled-up animal impenetrable. Hyenas, with their powerful jaws, also attempt to crush the armor but are often deterred by the sharp edges of the scales. Asian big cats, such as leopards, may be more successful against smaller pangolin species, but they must still access the vulnerable underbelly.
Predation by these large mammalian carnivores is generally opportunistic, as pangolins are not an easy or energy-efficient meal. Hunting involves continuous manipulation of the defensive ball to try and expose the soft tissue around the head or abdomen. Success is not guaranteed, and many pangolins survive these encounters, evidenced by scars often found on their scales.
Predation of Young and Tree-Dwelling Pangolins
The threat profile shifts dramatically for pangolin young and the smaller, arboreal species. Juveniles are particularly vulnerable because their scales are soft and pale at birth, only hardening after the first few days of life. Before they master the defensive ball, they are easy targets for smaller, quicker predators.
Large constrictor snakes, such as pythons, are known predators across African and Asian habitats, capable of swallowing a pangolin whole regardless of its scales. Arboreal pangolins, like the African tree pangolin, must also contend with aerial threats from large raptors, including various eagle species. These birds of prey can snatch the smaller mammals from tree branches or catch them on the ground.
The mother provides protection for her offspring, with the infant often riding on the base of her tail. When danger is sensed, the mother quickly rolls into her defensive posture, shielding the baby underneath her body. This behavior is crucial until the juvenile’s own scales have fully developed and hardened.
The Pangolin’s Defense Strategy
The pangolin’s primary protection is its physical and behavioral defense mechanism. The animal is covered in hundreds of overlapping scales composed of keratin, the same resilient protein found in human fingernails and rhinoceros horns. This dense armor serves as a highly effective shield against the crushing bites and claws of most predators.
When a pangolin feels threatened, it immediately curls tightly into an impenetrable ball, tucking its head and soft underside out of reach. The sharp, abrasive edges of the scales are exposed outward, making it extremely difficult for a predator to gain purchase or apply lethal pressure. Some species can also rapidly lash their scaled tails, using the edges to inflict cuts on an attacker.
This defensive posture is so reliable that lions and hyenas often give up after prolonged attempts to unroll the animal. Some pangolin species can also release a noxious, foul-smelling secretion from glands near the base of the tail, similar to a skunk, which deters persistent predators. The effectiveness of this defense means the pangolin’s population decline is attributed not to natural predation, but to human activity, as the rolled-up ball makes them easy for poachers to collect.