Temminck's (ground) pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), South Africa.
Image: David Brossard, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
Temminck's pangolin (the ground pangolin) is a scale-covered, ant- and termite-eating mammal of African savannas. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
Like all pangolins it rolls into an armoured ball when threatened and is heavily trafficked.
Range & habitat
Savannas and woodlands of eastern and southern Africa.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Poaching and trafficking for scales and meat
- Electrocution on fences
- Habitat loss
Why it matters
An African pangolin caught up in the global trafficking crisis, Temminck's pangolin is a flagship against the illegal wildlife trade.
Sources
Sources for Temminck's Pangolin
- IUCN Red List — look up Temminck's Pangolin (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are pangolins so heavily trafficked?
They are hunted for their keratin scales (used in some traditional medicines) and for meat, which has made pangolins among the most trafficked wild mammals on Earth.
Why is Temminck's pangolin Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite poaching and trafficking, electrocution on electric fences, and habitat loss. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: