A rare and privileged sighting; Ground Pangolins at Marataba

Pangolins are renowned for their inconspicuous nature. They are notoriously elusive, nocturnal, solitary and live an unpredictably nomadic life. They are known for being one of the enigmas of the bush, and many field guides wait years to have their first sighting of one. Pangolin sightings are few and far between but are best in the winter when there is cooler weather that allows for daylight foraging.

In the past two months at Marataba our guides and guests alike have been extremely fortunate to view the Temminck’s Ground Pangolin in its natural habitat, in broad daylight, on more than one occasion. These sightings are incredibly rare, and always create a lot of excitement amongst the guides! These creatures are bipedal, meaning that they walk on their two hind feet with their small arms held up. As soon as a guide announces a glimpse of these “pint-sized T-Rex’s” there is usually a rush from everyone out on drive to make their way into the area to share a unique experience with their guests.

Pangolins are unique in that they are the world's only scaly mammals. Their scales are made from the same protein found in human fingernails, porcupine quills or rhino horn, known as keratin. The name ‘Pangolin’ comes from the Malay word ‘pengguling’, meaning ‘the one that rolls up’. When assuming a defensive stance, they roll up into a ball to
protect themselves. Their scales have been used as armour in various cultures.

The scales are believed to have medicinal properties, but this has not been proved scientifically. They are in high demand for Chinese and East African medicine. It is believed that the scales cure arthritis and cancer, as well as promote lactation, improve poor circulation, and enhance sexual performance. 

For this reason, Pangolins are believed to be the most trafficked mammal in the world. It is estimated that up to 2.7 million African pangolins are killed each year. Poachers initially targeted the Asian species, but when the Pangolin population had diminished to an alarmingly low number (all four species are now listed on the IUCN Endangered list), poachers turned on their African relatives. In 2013, around 10 tons of Pangolin meat were discovered on board a Chinese vessel that wrecked around the Philippines. One of the biggest shipments of Pangolin scales was discovered in Singapore in 2019. It contained around 70 000 – 75 000 Pangolin scales, amounting to a whopping 14,2 tons. The shipment originated from Nigeria.

Even though the pangolin has a special defensive stance, equipped with incredible strong scales, it sadly offers them no protection from being picked up by a human, and being carried off. But the scales are particularly effective in protecting them from other animals, and is the scales are damaged, they heal really quickly to continue to better protect the animal. An interesting fun fact: the design of the scales has helped scientists create bulletproof vests for humans.

Pangolins spend most of their day sleeping alone (unless they have a pup) in underground burrows, and spend their waking hours foraging. They have an innate ability to source food via smell, and this leads them to their ideal feeding areas. One of their most surprising features is their uniquely long, sticky tongue. When extended, it can measure up to around 40 cm, making it longer than the entire body! This combined with their long snout and absence of teeth enables Pangolins to catch termites with both speed and efficiency.

These beloved animals play an important role in the ecosystem by improving the soil quality and providing a form of natural pest control. Although they may be small in size, their appetites are ferocious and this constant. Their lengthy foraging for food helps to maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem by eradicating insects and aerating the soil.

Credits: Facts and figures courtesy of the World Wildlife Fund, www.pangolins.org and National Geographic.

Words by: Nerine Madden / Robyn Quenet-Meintjes

Images: Hugh Morris, James Shute