Planning a trip to Kruger National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Ground Pangolin in Kruger National Park
Ground Pangolin are most active at night (19:00 to 05:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Ground Pangolin's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Kruger National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
About the Ground Pangolin
A solitary, nocturnal mammal covered in overlapping keratin scales that make up about a fifth of its body weight. It shelters by day in deep burrows, often taking over abandoned aardvark or warthog holes, and forages alone at night using a long, sticky tongue to lap up ants and termites. When threatened it curls tightly into an armoured ball rather than fleeing.
How to identify the Ground Pangolin
Cone-shaped head, small eyes, and a body covered in large overlapping yellow-brown to dark-brown scales; walks slowly on all fours with front claws curled under, occasionally rearing up to walk briefly on its hind legs, tail dragging and head swaying side to side.
Other species to look for in Kruger National Park
Other parks where you can see Ground Pangolin
Heading to Kruger National Park? opspoor shows where Ground Pangolin have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.