Head to head
Ground Pangolin vs Giant Pangolin
Ground Pangolin
VS Giant Pangolin
The ground pangolin and giant pangolin are close relatives in the genus Smutsia, both ground-living African pangolins that dig for ants and termites, but they live in different habitats.
| Ground Pangolin | Giant Pangolin | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Smutsia temminckii | Smutsia gigantea |
| Relationship | A close relative of the giant pangolin, in the same genus | A close relative of the ground pangolin, in the same genus |
| Size | Not specifically documented | The largest of all pangolin species |
| Range | Savanna and woodland across southern and eastern Africa | Rainforest and forest across Central and West Africa |
| Burrows | Shelters in burrows dug by other animals, such as aardvarks, and in natural holes | Excavates deep burrows used for shelter and raising young |
| Feeding | Digs out ants and termites and licks them up with a long, sticky tongue | Uses strong front claws to tear open termite mounds and ant nests |
| Posture or tongue | Sometimes walks upright on its hind legs, using its tail as a counterbalance | Has an extremely long, sticky tongue used to extract insects from deep within mounds |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable, hunted for meat, scales, and traditional medicine | Endangered, targeted by illegal trafficking for its scales and meat |
Ground Pangolin vs Giant Pangolin: common questions
Which pangolin is the largest?
The giant pangolin, the largest of all pangolin species.
Where does the ground pangolin shelter?
In burrows dug by other animals, such as aardvarks, and in natural holes.
Where do the ground and giant pangolins live?
The ground pangolin lives in savanna and woodland across southern and eastern Africa, while the giant pangolin lives in rainforest and forest across Central and West Africa.