Armadillo vs. Pangolin

Main Difference

The main difference between Armadillo and Pangolin is that Armadillo is a family of mammals, whereas Pangolin is an order of mammals.

Difference Between Armadillo and Pangolin

Comparison Chart

Armadillo vs. Pangolin

Armadillo is a placental mammal, whereas pangolin is a mammal. Armadillos are bigger mammals. On the other hand, pangolins are smaller than armadillos. The average size of an armadillo ranges from 5 to 59 inches in length. Conversely, the average weight of a pangolin is between 12 to 39 inches.

The average weight of an armadillo ranges from 3 to 119 pounds. Conversely, the average weight of a pangolin ranges from 4 to 40 pounds. A typical armadillo consists of a rigid bony shell on its shoulders and hips, while a pangolin’s body is fully covered with flat, leaf-like, sharp plates that give pangolins a scaly appearance.

Armadillos are defined as terrestrial beings spending their whole life on the solid ground. On the flip side, pangolins live in the tree holes. When endangered, armadillos dig burrows and hide under the ground. Conversely, pangolins curl their body into a roll and expose their sharp plates to protect themselves when attacked.

Armadillos eat grubs, and small invertebrates present abundantly on the solid ground. Conversely, pangolins pierce the bark of the trees to find their food, i.e., insects and larvae. The total duration of pregnancy in an armadillo is about 60 to 120 days, whereas the total duration of pregnancy in pangolins lasts 120 to 150 days.

A female armadillo of genus Dasypus gives birth to quadruplets, which are four genetically identical babies. On the contrary, the female pangolin generally gives birth to 1 to 3 babies.

What is Armadillo?

The most forfeiting feature of an armadillo lies in its hard body shell, which protects it from harsh environmental conditions as well as predators. The whole body of an armadillo is covered with a bony shell, which may be present in various colors, i.e., dark brown, red, grey, black, yellowish, and pinkish colors.

Most armadillos have been eradicated from the world due to hunting and habitat loss. In South America, 19 types of armadillos are still present. The natural habitats of armadillos are rainforests, semi-arid, and grassland regions.

Whenever armadillos feel themselves in danger, they hide their body by curling themselves into a ball shape. Different species of armadillos have different instincts toward predators. Some dig the hole, and some run to escape from the weird predators.

Armadillos have long claws and strong legs that enable them to dig tunnels for their survival. An armadillo can repose about 16 to 18 hours a day inside these tunnels. The food on which their survival depends includes small insects, eggs, roots, baby birds, and fruit, etc.

Armadillos have a long and sticky tongue, which assist them in hunting the termites, ants, beetles, and other insects. Armadillos are capable enough to handle fire ant or any deadly ant easily with the help of its adhesive tongue.

The mating season for armadillos is July, and female armadillos become pregnant in November. The pregnancy period for armadillo is 60 to 120 days after which quadruplets are born.

What is Pangolin?

The most distinguishing feature of pangolins is their sharp and narrow nose with their sticky mucosal tongue, which captures all the ants and other insects easily. Pangolins do not have specified enemies. They are equally endangered by hunters that attack them for their meat, scales, and skin.

Pangolins shred the yaps of the trees to catch the insects and creepy-crawlies beneath. Pangolins tend to live in forested regions. Pangolins have their characteristic feature of leaf-like, sharp, and piercing scales resembling pine cones.

When endangered, pangolins turn themselves into balls, and their outer shells protect them against predators and hunters. Some species of pangolins chose living inside the tree holes, while others prefer living inside the tunnels inside the earth.

The gestation or pregnancy period for pangolins is 120 to 150 days, after which 1 to 3 babies may bear. Pangolins are more prominent, heavier, and more intelligent as compared to armadillos. They have small conical heads and jaws that are deprived of teeth.

Pangolins have impaired vision. Therefore, pangolins sense their prey as well as a danger through their smell. The last pair of the rib is also connected with it. The length of the tongue of a pangolin is nearly partial to the length of its head and body.

The stomach of a pangolin is muscular enough with keratinous spines pointing toward its interior. The limbs of pangolins are sturdy and stout enough to dig the burrows and pierce the tree’s barks easily. Pangolins can run wildly fast and are also capable of swimming.

Conclusion

Armadillos being best climbers and swimmers, are capable of their protection by rigid body shields. Conversely, pangolins being bigger and brainy than armadillos are capable of their defense through their sharp scales.