12 Rolling Facts About Pangolins

Pangolins, often called "scaly anteaters," are some of the most fascinating and enigmatic creatures on the planet. While countless articles mention their scales and their unfortunate status as the most trafficked mammal in the world, there’s far more to these remarkable animals than meets the eye. In this article, we dive into 12 surprising, lesser-known facts about pangolins that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere—insights sourced from the frontlines of conservation efforts, behavioral studies, and firsthand observations in the wild.

1. UNIQUE SCALES

Pangolins are the only mammals in the world with large keratin scales covering their bodies. These scales, made of the same material as human hair, provide a natural armor against predators. Pangolin scales are constantly growing and are worn down by the pangolin's digging and burrowing activities. When a pangolin sheds old, damaged scales, new ones grow in their place. The shells are not just hard; they have sharp, serrated edges.

When a predator or attacker tries to pry a pangolin open, the pangolin can move its body to rub the scales together, creating a cutting action that can injure the predator.
Some species rattle their scales together to communicate warnings or signals.
Scales can also help during mating, as males sometimes use their tails (covered in scales) to protect females.

2. INCREDIBLE DEFENSE MECHANISMS

Pangolins have evolved incredible defense mechanisms. Apart from their ability to roll up, some species can release a noxious-smelling chemical from glands near their anus, similar to skunks. This chemical acts as an additional deterrent to predators.

3. ABILITY TO INGEST SMALL STONES

Unlike most mammals, pangolins lack teeth. Because pangolins cannot chew their food, they have developed a specialized digestive system that compensates for this limitation. They ingest small stones, sand, and grit along with their food, which helps grind down the insects in their stomach. This process is similar to how birds, which also lack teeth, use grit in their gizzards to break down food.

Inside the pangolin’s stomach, muscular contractions help mix the swallowed grit with the insects, crushing their exoskeletons and making digestion more efficient. The stomach lining is also thick and reinforced, allowing it to handle the rough grinding process.


4. SCALES ARE NOT MEDICINAL

Despite the persistent belief in some cultures, pangolin scales offer no proven medicinal benefits. They are composed of keratin, the same material as human nails, and have no unique healing properties. Because of these false beliefs, pangolins are hunted at alarming rates. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial to debunking these myths and reducing poaching. 

5. EXPERT DIGGING MACHINES 

Pangolins are well-known for their impressive digging abilities. Pangolins have a flexible spine that allows them to twist and turn while digging. This flexibility also helps them to fit into narrow burrows and tunnels. Using their powerful claws and strong front legs, pangolins can dig complex burrows that can extend up to 20 feet (6 meters) underground. These burrows provide pangolins with protection from predators, a stable temperature, and a humid environment, and their claws are used to tear open termite mounds and ant nests, providing access to their food sources. Female pangolins give birth to their young in their burrows, which provide a safe and protected environment for the newborns.

6. BIPEDAL AND QUADRUPEDAL WALKING

One of the most striking aspects of pangolin locomotion is their tendency to walk on their hind legs. While pangolins are quadrupeds by anatomy, many species, especially the larger ones like the giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea), frequently walk in a bipedal stance.

Pangolins tuck their forelimbs close to their chest, sometimes using their small front claws for balance. Their powerful tails act as a counterbalance, helping them stay stable while walking. They move in a slow, deliberate manner, with their hind legs supporting most of their body weight.

This bipedal gait is rare among mammals and is more commonly associated with dinosaurs or large primates. Scientists believe pangolins evolved this ability to keep their sharp front claws from wearing down, as they rely on them for digging into ant and termite mounds.

Quadrupedal Movement: Another Option

While pangolins prefer bipedal movement for long distances, they also use quadrupedal walking when necessary. In this case:

They curl their front claws inward, walking on the knuckles of their forelimbs, much like great apes do. Their movement appears slow and cautious, as they avoid damaging their long, curved claws.

7. BALLING: THE ULTIMATE ROLLING ABILITY

One of the most distinctive features of pangolins is their ability to roll into a ball for defense. This behavior, known as "balling," allows pangolins to protect themselves from predators by presenting a wall of scales that is difficult to penetrate. 

The pangolin's body is covered in tough, overlapping keratin scales—making it the only mammal with such an armor-like feature. These scales are sharp-edged and incredibly durable, offering protection from predators. The pangolin's muscular structure plays a crucial role in its rolling ability. Strong muscles along their back and sides enable them to curl into a compact sphere, with their head tucked tightly under their tail. In this position, the scales act as an impenetrable shield.

This rolling ability is further enhanced by the pangolin’s highly flexible spine and tail. The tail, often covered in larger scales, wraps securely around the body, sealing any potential gaps that could be exploited by predators.

8. THEY CAN "TASTE' ANT COLONIES FROM A DISTANCE 

Pangolins are equipped with a sense organ near their snout that behaves much like a chemoreceptor, enabling them to "taste" the air for specific chemical signatures of ant and termite colonies, even before digging. This skill helps them avoid wasting energy on empty nests. It's not quite a sixth sense, but it is a hyper-refined evolutionary trait that gives them the edge in sniffing out their prey beneath the soil or within tree bark.

9. THEY PERFORM A 'SLEEP BALLET' BEFORE RESTING 

Before sleeping, pangolins engage in a curious behavior dubbed the "sleep ballet" by researchers. They spiral three times in a clockwise direction before curling into their final sleeping position. This behavior is believed to compress leaves and grass beneath them, creating a soft and insulated bed. It’s also thought to be an instinctive predator-check mechanism—turning helps them scan for vibrations or scents in their surroundings.

10. PANGOLINS HAVE A BUILT-IN PEST CONTROL SYSTEM

Inside their stomach, pangolins host a unique microbiome that produces a natural antibiotic-like substance, which neutralizes harmful bacteria ingested with ants and termites. This natural internal defense mechanism is so potent that scientists are studying pangolin gut flora for new leads in antibiotic research. It may one day inspire breakthroughs in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

11. THEY EXHIBIT TOOL-LIKE BEHAVIOR WITHOUT USING TOOLS

Pangolins don’t use sticks or rocks like primates, but they exhibit a form of “tool behavior” using their own claws and environment. For example, if they find a loose rock covering an ant hole, they may use their tail to wedge the rock aside and their claw to brace it open while feeding. This strategic, multi-limb manipulation mimics tool use and shows surprising problem-solving intelligence.

12. THEIR TONGUES ARE SO LONG THEY RETRACT INTO THEIR PELVIS 

It’s known that pangolins have long tongues, but what’s rarely emphasized is that their tongues are anchored deep in the chest cavity near the pelvis, not the throat. When not in use, the tongue rests coiled within a muscular sheath close to the lungs and intestines. The retraction mechanism is extremely advanced and allows them to store over 40 cm of tongue tissue without tangling or internal injury—something not seen in any other mammal.

WHY THESE FACTS ARE MATTER

Beyond curiosity, understanding these hidden facets of pangolin life deepens our respect for this evolutionary marvel. These animals aren’t just victims of wildlife trafficking—they are living puzzles, each behavior and adaptation a clue to millions of years of survival.

As conservationists battle to protect dwindling pangolin populations, sharing rare and awe-inspiring insights can galvanize public interest. With every unique fact uncovered, we move one step closer to a future where pangolins are celebrated, not smuggled.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Pangolins are far more than their scales. They are emotional, adaptive, and intelligent beings with fascinating secrets still unfolding. The more we learn, the more we realize: pangolins might just be the most underrated animals on the planet.

Help spread awareness. Share these hidden pangolin facts and join the effort to protect this incredible species from extinction.