Want to know where and when to find Ground Pangolin? opspoor shows recent sightings across South Africa's parks and when each species is usually active.
Where to see Ground Pangolin in South Africa
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.
Did you know?
An adult ground pangolin can eat around 70 million insects a year, taking roughly 20,000 ants or termites in a single meal. It is also the world's most illegally trafficked mammal, targeted for bushmeat and traditional medicine.
Also known as: Temmincks Ground Pangolin, Suider-Afrikaanse Ietermagog, Cape Pangolin
Planning a safari? Pick a park above to see when and where to look for Ground Pangolin, and log your own sightings in opspoor, even with no signal.