{"id":10867,"date":"2022-03-31T21:26:38","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T21:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=10867"},"modified":"2022-03-31T21:26:40","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T21:26:40","slug":"armadillo-vs-pangolin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/armadillo-vs-pangolin\/","title":{"rendered":"Armadillo Vs Pangolin: Side By Side"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever seen a pangolin, you may have mistaken it for an armadillo, and no wonder. Both animals are covered in body armor, have long tails and pointed snouts, and walk low to the ground, hunched over. But did you know they are actually two very different types of animals? In this article, we\u2019ll compare the armadillo vs. the pangolin as we discuss each animal, whether they are related, and some of their similarities and differences. Ready to get started?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an Armadillo?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Armadillo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An armadillo is a mammal native to North, Central, and South America. There are 20 species of armadillo<\/a>, none of which are endangered (though a couple of them are considered vulnerable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armadillos are covered in hard body armor that look similar to the plate armor of the Middle Ages. Most armadillos are light to dark gray, though some are more flesh-colored or brownish.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armadillos have triangular snouts, large, pointed ears, rounded bodies, and stubby legs. They also have long, skinny tails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armadillos are insectivores that eat mostly worms, grubs, termites, ants, and other insects. They are mostly solitary creatures, though they sometimes come together to sleep in groups and to mate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the species, armadillos give birth to between 1 and 8 babies each year. The average lifespan of an armadillo is about 12 to 15 years in the wild, though they may live more than 20 years in captivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Pangolin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What
Pangolin<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A pangolin is a mammal found in various regions throughout Africa and Asia. There are 8 species of pangolin, many of which are considered endangered because they are frequently poached for their scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though pangolins are mammals, their body armor makes them look a bit more like reptiles\u2013especially small dinosaurs. They are covered in hard, pointed scales that are typically dark brown to light yellow brown in color.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pangolins have long, pointed snouts, small, rounded ears, and short, armored limbs. Their long, thick tails are covered in scales like the rest of their bodies, and their bodies are rounded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pangolins are insectivores that especially enjoy eating ants and termites, though they will occasionally eat other foods such as the bark off trees. They are extremely solitary, coming together only for the purpose of mating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most pangolins give birth to only one baby each year, though some species have up to three babies each season. It is unknown how long they can live in the wild, but they are known to live about 20 years in captivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Armadillos and Pangolins Related?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Armadillos and pangolins are both mammals, but that is where the relationship ends – they belong to very different genera and are classified under different orders of mammals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, their territories don\u2019t overlap. Armadillos are found only in the New World, while pangolins are native to the Old World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, they are two very different types of animals that are often confused because they both have body armor to protect them from predators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armadillo Vs. Pangolin: The Similarities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n