AnimalTracks.wiki

What the sources say

Giant Ground PangolinSmutsia gigantea

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Giant Ground Pangolin profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 68 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Manis gigantea (giant pangolin). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysIt weighs 30 to 35 kilograms
The source saysRange mass 30.0 to 35.0 kgNote: The current IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group page agrees on the top of the range ('weighing up to 35 kg'). Sandri et al. 2022 give 'weighing up to 40 kg' in their abstract; the page follows the current institution page and reports the one heavier animal only as the 2026 paper words it.
The page saysaverages about 1.5 meters long
The source saysTheir average body length is 152.4 cmNote: 152.4 cm rounds to 1.5 m.
The page saysIts back, tail and the outside of its legs are covered in overlapping grey-brown scales made of keratin
The source saysthick tail covered with keratinized epidermal cells in the form of overlapping scales ... The scales are grey-brown ... They extend across entire dorsal surface of body but are absent on the ventral side of body and the inner surface of the limbs.Note: 'the same material as your fingernails' that follows is a plain definition of keratin for young readers, not a species-specific claim. 'the outside of its legs' is the limbs minus the inner surface the source excludes.
The page saysIts belly has no scales.
The source saysThey extend across entire dorsal surface of body but are absent on the ventral side of body
The page saysIf it can't reach its burrow in time, a giant pangolin curls into a tight ball with only its scales showing
The source saysIn the event of a threat they will curl up into a tight ball with just the scales exposed to the outside. ... Giant pangolins resort to these defense mechanisms if they are unable to make it to their burrow in time.Note: 'only' is the source's 'just the scales exposed'.
The page saysOnce rolled up, it is virtually impossible to uncurl
The source saysOnce rolled into a ball they are virtually impossible to uncurl
The page saysby tightening its muscles it can cause deep cuts with its scales
The source sayscan cause deep cuts from their scales by contracting their muscles
The page saysIt can also squirt a foul-smelling liquid from its rear end to drive predators away.
The source saysAnother form of defense is the ejection a foul-smelling liquid from the anal region to repel predators.Note: 'squirt' paraphrases 'ejection', and 'rear end' the 'anal region', for young readers.
The page saysGiant pangolins have no teeth and none of the muscles used for chewing.
The source saysthey have no teeth. Since they are toothless, the muscles that aid in chewing and biting, the masseter and temporalis, are absent.Note: 'none of the muscles' is the source's 'are absent'.
The page saysThey dig into underground ant and termite nests
The source saysThey forage at night and are able to dig deep into the soil and destroy the underground nests of ants and termites to eat directly from the nest.
The page saysthree large, curved claws on each front foot.
The source saysOn the fore feet there are three well-developed claws (the first and fifth digits are reduced) which are curved outwards to aid in digging.Note: 'large' paraphrases 'well-developed', beside the reduced first and fifth digits.
The page saysThen they trap the insects on a tongue up to 70 centimeters long, coated in sticky saliva.
The source saysWhen protruded, the maximum length of the tongue is 70 cm ... The tongue is covered with sticky saliva secreted by a large submandibular gland to trap ants and termites.
The page saysA hard, layered lining in the stomach crushes the insects' tough outer skeletons.
The source saysthe stomach is lined with a hard laminated epithelium to crush insect exoskeletonsNote: 'layered' is what 'laminated' means; 'tough outer skeletons' defines 'exoskeletons'.
The page saysPulled back in, a giant pangolin's tongue runs beneath its chest and windpipe all the way down to its abdomen.
The source sayswhen it is retracted it lays ventral to the thorax and trachea and stretches all the way down to the abdomen
The page saysPart of it folds into the neck, leaving a bulge on the outside.
The source sayswhen retracted, a portion of the tongue is folded into the cervical region, creating a bulge on the outside of the neck
The page saysIt lives only where ants and termites, its only food, are available all year round.
The source saysThey are restricted to these regions in Sub-Saharan African because of the constant, habitable environment for ants and termites, their only food source that they depend on all year round.
The page saysIt digs its own burrows, which can be several meters deep, or moves into ones another animal has abandoned.
The source saysThe burrows can be several meters deep and are made either by themselves using their powerful forelimbs or they inhabit abandoned burrows made by another animal.
The page saysIt sleeps there through the day, forages alone at night and never climbs trees.
The source saysIn the wild giant pangolins are timid, nocturnal, solitary species spending their days concealed and asleep in their burrows. Even though they are found in and around forests, giant pangolins never climb trees. Giant pangolins are nocturnal, searching for food at night
The page saysOverlapping keratin scales
The source sayskeratinized epidermal cells in the form of overlapping scales
The page saysa sticky tongue up to 70 centimeters long, and
The source saysthe maximum length of the tongue is 70 cm ... The tongue is covered with sticky saliva
The page saysa defensive ball that's next to impossible to pry open
The source saysOnce rolled into a ball they are virtually impossible to uncurl
The page saysA sticky tongue up to 70 centimeters long for trapping ants and termites
The source saysthe maximum length of the tongue is 70 cm ... The tongue is covered with sticky saliva secreted by a large submandibular gland to trap ants and termites.
The page saysa scaly body it rolls into a ball that's next to impossible to uncurl
The source sayscurl up into a tight ball with just the scales exposed to the outside. Once rolled into a ball they are virtually impossible to uncurl
The page saysAnts and termites, dug out of their nests
The source saysGiant pangolins are myrmecophagous mammals, meaning a diet specialized in ants and termites. ... able to dig deep into the soil and destroy the underground nests of ants and termites to eat directly from the nest
The page sayswith large, curved front claws
The source saysOn the fore feet there are three well-developed claws (the first and fifth digits are reduced) which are curved outwards to aid in digging.Note: 'large' paraphrases 'well-developed'.
The page saysThe scales are made of keratinized skin cells, the same material as claws and hair.
The source saysthick tail covered with keratinized epidermal cells in the form of overlapping scalesNote: Keratin being the material of claws and hair is a plain definition of the term for young readers, not a species-specific claim.
The page saysThey overlap across its back, tail and the outside of its legs, but its belly and the inside of its legs have none.
The source saysThey extend across entire dorsal surface of body but are absent on the ventral side of body and the inner surface of the limbs.Note: 'have none' is the source's 'are absent'.
The page saysIf it can't reach its burrow in time, the pangolin curls into a tight ball with only its scales showing
The source saysIn the event of a threat they will curl up into a tight ball with just the scales exposed to the outside. ... Giant pangolins resort to these defense mechanisms if they are unable to make it to their burrow in time.Note: 'only' is the source's 'just the scales exposed'.
The page saysonce rolled up it is virtually impossible to uncurl
The source saysOnce rolled into a ball they are virtually impossible to uncurl
The page saysBy tightening its muscles it can cause deep cuts with its scales
The source sayscan cause deep cuts from their scales by contracting their muscles
The page saysit can also squirt a foul-smelling liquid from its rear end to drive predators away
The source saysAnother form of defense is the ejection a foul-smelling liquid from the anal region to repel predators.
The page saysIt has no teeth, and it lacks the muscles used for chewing and biting.
The source saysthey have no teeth. Since they are toothless, the muscles that aid in chewing and biting, the masseter and temporalis, are absent.
The page saysit digs into underground ant and termite nests with three
The source saysThey forage at night and are able to dig deep into the soil and destroy the underground nests of ants and termites to eat directly from the nest.
The page sayscurved claws on each front foot, then traps
The source saysOn the fore feet there are three well-developed claws (the first and fifth digits are reduced) which are curved outwards to aid in digging.Note: 'large' paraphrases 'well-developed'.
The page saysthen traps the insects on a tongue up to 70 centimeters long, coated in sticky saliva
The source saysWhen protruded, the maximum length of the tongue is 70 cm ... The tongue is covered with sticky saliva secreted by a large submandibular gland to trap ants and termites.
The page saysPulled back in, the tongue runs beneath its chest all the way down to its abdomen.
The source sayswhen it is retracted it lays ventral to the thorax and trachea and stretches all the way down to the abdomen
The page saysA hard, layered lining in its stomach crushes the insects' tough outer skeletons.
The source saysthe stomach is lined with a hard laminated epithelium to crush insect exoskeletons
The page saysEach front foot has three large claws that curve outward to help it dig.
The source saysOn the fore feet there are three well-developed claws (the first and fifth digits are reduced) which are curved outwards to aid in digging.
The page saysIt digs into underground ant and termite nests to feed
The source saysare able to dig deep into the soil and destroy the underground nests of ants and termites to eat directly from the nest
The page saysit digs its own burrows, which can be several meters deep
The source saysThe burrows can be several meters deep and are made either by themselves using their powerful forelimbs
The page saysDespite living in and around forests, it never climbs trees.
The source saysEven though they are found in and around forests, giant pangolins never climb trees.
The page sayscurls into a tight ball with just its scales showing
The source saysIn the event of a threat they will curl up into a tight ball with just the scales exposed to the outside.Note: vibe.reason, settled in #274: replaces 'ancient Saharan grit', which argued from geography, with the defensive ball
The page saysonce rolled up, is virtually impossible to uncurl
The source saysOnce rolled into a ball they are virtually impossible to uncurlNote: vibe.reason, settled in #274

Source
02

IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group

Giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea). IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group.

The page saysThe Biggest Pangolin Alive
The source saysThe giant pangolin is the largest extant species of pangolin.
The page saysthe largest living pangolin species
The source saysThe giant pangolin is the largest living pangolin species
The page saysit prefers moist places close to water
The source saysthe giant pangolin prefers moist habitats and being close to water sources
The page saysGiant pangolins are thought to be extinct in Rwanda
The source saysIt is thought the giant pangolin is now extinct in Rwanda.
The page sayspreferring moist places close to water
The source saysthe giant pangolin prefers moist habitats and being close to water sources

Source
03

Nixon et al. 2019

Nixon et al. (2019). Smutsia gigantea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T12762A123584478.

The page saysEndangered
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Endangered (EN).

Source
04

Mwale et al. 2017

Mwale et al. (2017). Forensic application of DNA barcoding for identification of illegally traded African pangolin scales. Genome.

The page saysRare, Hunted and Still Turning Up
The source saysSmutsia gigantea, a sister taxon of S. temminckii, has also been reported to be rareNote: 'Hunted' is the section's poaching sentence (Montblanc et al. 2026) and 'Still Turning Up' its 2018 Kenya and 2023 Senegal records, each claimed below.
The page saysLike all pangolins, it is hunted for bushmeat and for its scales, which are used in traditional medicine in Africa and East Asia.
The source saysAn increase in illegal wildlife trade (IWT) has been documented for all species of pangolin (Family: Manidae) that are exploited for bush meat, and body parts and scales, which have superstitious value and use in traditional medicine in Africa ... and East Asia
The page saysPangolins are thought to be among the most trafficked mammals in the world
The source sayspangolins now being the most trafficked wild mammal species by numbersNote: Mwale et al. 2017 state it flatly; the FAQ uses the hedge of the newer Montblanc et al. 2026 ('thought to be one of the most trafficked mammals in the world'), which the 2017 wording entails.
The page saysa 2017 study cited estimates of more than 10,000 traded illegally each year
The source saysillegal pangolin trade has continued to escalate, with pangolins now being the most trafficked wild mammal species by numbers (>10,000 individuals per year) globally (Davis 2014, Challender et al. 2015a)Note: The paper cites the figure from Davis 2014 and Challender et al. 2015a, so the FAQ dates it to the 2017 study and calls it a cited estimate rather than a current yearly total.
The page saysIn that study's DNA tests of scales from a three-tonne seizure in Hong Kong
The source saysThe seizure of three tonnes of pangolin scales, believed to have originated from Africa, by Hong Kong Customs Authorities provided an opportunity for the application of DNA barcoding in identifying scales.Note: 'believed to' hedges the scales' African origin, which the FAQ does not state.
The page saysthe 10 bags sampled
The source saysA representative sub-sample of these confiscations consisting of 10 bags
The page saysgiant pangolin turned up in only one
The source saysSmutsia gigantea, a sister taxon of S. temminckii, has also been reported to be rare and was only identified in one bag
The page saysThe authors note the species has also been reported to be rare.
The source saysSmutsia gigantea, a sister taxon of S. temminckii, has also been reported to be rare

Source
05

Montblanc et al. 2026

Montblanc et al. (2026). First hematological and biochemical findings in a rehabilitated giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) from Southern Cameroon. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

The page saysIts home is rainforest, swamp forest and wooded savanna across Central and West Africa
The source saysThis elusive species inhabits rainforests, swamp forests and wooded savannas across Central and West Africa
The page saysPoaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss are causing severe population declines.
The source saysfaces severe population declines due to poaching and habitat lossNote: 'illegal hunting' defines 'poaching' for young readers.
The page saysscientists have projected they could vanish from some countries within two decades, even with no further habitat loss
The source sayslocal extinction has been projected within two decades in countries of its range even without further habitat degradationNote: The paper cites this from its reference 3, Zanvo et al. 2023, which models extirpation rates in Benin, so 'some countries' keeps it from reading as the whole range.
The page saysPangolins are thought to be among the most trafficked mammals in the world, mainly for their meat and for scales used in traditional medicine.
The source saysPangolins are thought to be one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, primarily due to the demand for their meat consumption and scales in traditional medicineNote: The 2026 paper hedges what Mwale et al. 2017 stated flatly ('the most trafficked'); the newer wording wins.
The page saysThe species also remains poorly studied, with big gaps in basic facts about its biology.
The source saysthe species remains poorly studied, with major gaps in basic biological and clinical data
The page saysRainforest, swamp forest, and wooded savanna across Central and West Africa
The source saysThis elusive species inhabits rainforests, swamp forests and wooded savannas across Central and West Africa

Source
06

Sandri et al. 2022

Sandri et al. (2022). Three spatially separate records confirm the presence of and provide a range extension for the giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea in Kenya. Oryx.

The page saysthree separate records placed giant pangolins in the mountain forests of western Kenya
The source saysHere we present three spatially separate records confirming the presence of this species in Kenyan Afromontane forests.Note: 'mountain forests' explains 'Afromontane' (Africa's mountain forests) for young readers.
The page saysIn 2018, three separate records
The source saysThe first is the result of a camera-trap survey conducted in July 2018 ... The second record, also from 2018 ... A third record was reported in August 2018
The page saysabout 500 kilometers east of the nearest confirmed population in Uganda
The source saysc. 500 km east of the nearest confirmed giant pangolin population in Uganda

Source
07

Ndiaye et al. 2024

Ndiaye et al. (2024). Rediscovery of the endangered giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) in Senegal after 24 years. African Journal of Ecology.

The page saysit is still being found
The source sayswe present photographic evidence that giant pangolins are still present in the park
The page saysIn 2023, camera traps (cameras that fire automatically when an animal passes) rediscovered the species in Senegal's Niokolo-Koba National Park, 24 years after its last documented sighting there in 1999.
The source saysThe last documented sighting of a giant pangolin in Senegal was in Niokolo-Koba National Park (NKNP) and dates back to 1999. Following a large camera-trap survey carried out in NKNP in 2023, we present photographic evidence that giant pangolins are still present in the park.Note: '24 years' and 'rediscovered' are the paper's own title ('Rediscovery of the endangered giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) in Senegal after 24 years', Ndiaye et al. 2024); the abstract gives the two dates. The parenthesis defines 'camera traps' for young readers.

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.