Pangolin vs. Armadillo: 9 Key Differences Explained

When comparing pangolin and armadillo, it is not surprising that many people often confuse the two animals. These two small to medium sized insectivores have hard scales made from keratin, which is the same material found in human fingernails and toenails. When many people think of pangolins, their first thought might be a Pokemon named Sandshru, which bears an uncanny resemblance to a scaly pangolin. Meanwhile, most people associate armadillos with road killing, given that some species jump when frightened, which unfortunately causes them to frequently collide with approaching vehicles. However, of the two, the pangolin is closer to the door of death. Due to their popularity in traditional medicine, pangolins are one of the most heavily marketed animals in the world, and several species are on the verge of extinction.

Given the unique threats, habitats, and origins of lizards and armadillos, it is worth taking the time to compare them with each other. In this article, we will discuss several different ways to tell them apart. In addition, we will answer a few frequently asked questions about these two adorable mammals. Here are 9 key differences that differentiate a pangolin from an armadillo.

Comparison of pangolins and armadillos

9 key differences between pangolins and armadillos

Pangolins and armadillos: taxonomy

While they may look similar, pangolins and armadillos do not have similar origins. The Pangolins, which derive their name from the ancient Greek word meaning “covered with scales”, belong to the order Pholidota. While there used to be many families in this order, now there is only one surviving family – the Manidae. The Manidae family consists of three genera, which include all 8 modern pangolin species: Manis, Pataginus, and Smoothness. Meanwhile, battleships, or “armadillos” in Spanish, belong to the superorder of Xenartra, which also includes anteaters and sloths. In this order, they fall into the suborder Cingulata. Scientists recognize 20 official species of armadillos, many of which belong to the families Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae.

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Pangolins and armadillos: distribution and habitat

Generally speaking, there is little difference in the habitat of pangolin and armadillo. Both tend to enjoy hot tropical climates. You can often find them in environments including deserts, rainforests, and grasslands. However, you will never find them in the same habitat because they live on different sides of the globe. Four Darling species are common throughout South Asia, while two Fatagin and two Smoothening species are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Depending on the species, pangolins build their homes in trees or in tunnels underground. Unlike the more woody pangolins, armadillos nest only underground in burrows up to 15 feet below the surface.

Pangolins and armadillos: size

On average, pangolins and armadillos are about the same size. However, you can find armadillos in a wide variety of sizes, from tiny to massive. Pangolins are typically 12 to 39 inches long. However, the giant pangolin can reach 55 inches in length and weigh 72.6 pounds. On the other hand, the largest type of battleship, aptly named the giant battleship, can reach 59 inches in length and weigh nearly 119 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum, the pink magic armadillo grows just 3.5 to 6 inches in length and weighs just 4 ounces.

Pangolins and battleships: movement

At first glance, one can easily come to the conclusion that there is no difference in the movements of the pangolin and the battleship. After all, they both stand low to the ground and develop short, stocky legs. However, if you look at how they move, there are several key differences. Lizards generally move much slower, reaching speeds of just 3 miles per hour, compared to the battleships’ top speed of 30 miles per hour. When walking, pangolins walk with their front claws bent under the ball of the foot. Sometimes they also walk only on their backs and two legs, usually fleeing, and some species are adapted to climbing trees. Meanwhile, armadillos prefer to stay on the ground, except when they decide to cross the water. Under these conditions, some species can walk underwater, which is made possible by their ability to hold their breath for up to six minutes.

Pangolins and armadillos: teeth

Although pangolins and armadillos feed mainly on insects, they have developed completely different ways of eating food. Oddly enough, pangolins evolved without teeth. Instead of chewing food, they simply catch insects with their sticky tongues and then swallow them whole. Unlike pangolins, armadillos do have teeth, which they use vigorously to eat insects. Like some other species, such as elephants and manatees, the armadillo’s teeth are not subdivided into molars or premolars. In addition, armadillos do not grow incisors or canines.

Pangolins and battleships: armor

On examination, it is easy to notice the differences in the armor of the pangolin and the armadillo. Pangolins have flexible armor made of sharp, overlapping plate scales. They are the only mammals known to grow scales in this way. Although they are similar to lizard scales, pangolin scales have little in common in structure or composition with lizard scales. As for the battleship, its armor differs in many ways from the pangolin. The armor of an armadillo is formed by plates of skin bone covered with keratinized scales called shields. These plates are usually located on the shoulders and thighs, and connected stripes run along the length of the armadillo’s back and tail. Different species have a unique number of stripes, so scientists can easily distinguish between different types of armadillos.

Pangolins and armadillos: defense mechanisms

It is a common misconception that all armadillos can curl up in a ball to protect themselves from predators. In fact, the defenses used by pangolin against armadillos differ primarily in that pangolins tend to curl up more often than armadillos. Of the 20 armadillo species, only three-lane armadillos use this strategy to escape prey. Most battleships cannot use this tactic because their armor is too dense, but the armor of three-belt battleships is loose enough to take advantage of this brilliant maneuver. As a final defense mechanism, pangolins have also developed glands near their anus that give off a poisonous odor similar to that of a skunk. When armadillos want to avoid predators, they often run away at high speed and hide in tight cover. In some cases, they may also try to work their way to safety with their powerful claws.

Pangolins and armadillos: nutrition and digestion

With a few notable exceptions, the pangolin and armadillo diet have a lot in common. Pangolins and armadillos are insectivorous and feed mainly on ants, termites, and larvae. However, while pangolins live almost exclusively on this diet, armadillos also eat invertebrates and sometimes fruit pieces. While armadillos primarily gather food or use their claws to scoop insects out of the soil, some pangolins have developed a unique way of obtaining food. These tree lizards use their claws to rip the bark off the trees to gain access to any insects hiding inside. Since pangolins cannot chew, they swallow small pebbles during meals to improve digestion. These tiny stones, known as gastroliths, help pangolins to grind food in the stomach. To aid in this task, they have developed a stomach covered with sharp thorns, which also aid the digestion process.

Pangolins and armadillos: mating and reproduction

Both pangolins and armadillos live relatively solitary lives, with the exception of the mating season. Pangolins usually breed once a year in summer or fall. If the competition for females is particularly high, male pangolins can use their tails as clubs and use them to fight each other to determine which male will get the female. Typically, female pangolins give birth to one live offspring, although some species can give birth to up to three pangopups at the same time. Meanwhile, some types of armadillos of this genus Dasipus always give birth to the same four-legged. Apart from these armadillos, most species can give birth to one to eight live offspring at a time.

Frequently asked questions about pangolins and armadillos

How long is a pangolin?

Large pangolins can extend the tongue up to 16 inches. Like the giant anteater and the tubular nectar bat, their tongues attach to the ribcage rather than the hyoid bone.

Endangered pangolins and armadillos?

All 8 existing pangolin species are considered endangered by the IUCN. To be precise, three are endangered, three are endangered and two are vulnerable. Meanwhile, some types of battleships are under threat, such as the Mulita Yepes, while others, such as the nine-lane battleship, are not.

Can you catch leprosy from armadillos?

Due to the low body temperature, armadillos do not have sufficient protection against leprosy bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae. You can get leprosy from an armadillo by touching it or eating armadillo meat.