Pangolins live exclusively on a diet of ants and termites and rarely appear in the open. In this video, onlookers witness a rare daytime sighting, complete with curious lions.
Filmmakers captured this amazing footage at MalaMala, within South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Lions at rest
The video begins with the tranquil sight of a lion pride at rest. Having decided against hunting buffalo, the pride settles in to rest through the heat of the day.
The pride comprises a beautiful male, various lionesses, and several cubs. Lions rest for up to 20 hours per day, so the chances of anything exciting happening appear slim.
Armoured intruder
However, as is often the case in the bush, things quickly change when an armour-plated arrival grabs the pride’s attention.
The animal is a Temminck’s ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), a nocturnal insectivore that CITES classifies as vulnerable.
Consequently, as it trundles along on its hind legs, it passes within a few metres of one of the young lions. As is typical with cats, the youngster cannot resist watching this strange new arrival.
A closer look
Subsequently, we get a closer look at the pangolin. These bizarre-looking animals possess perfect adaptations for their dietary habits.
They have powerful, heavily-clawed front limbs which they use to excavate the ground in search of food. Their elongated snouts allow them to probe nests, using a long, sticky tongue to gather up to 70 million ants and termites per year.
However, their most outstanding feature is their heavily-scaled body. These interlocking scales, made of keratin like our fingernails, provide their only defence against predators.
Curious cub
Inevitably, the cub’s curiosity gets the better of it, and it rises to investigate the pangolin. Considering how rare pangolin are, this might be the first time it has seen one.
Accordingly, it approaches with caution. Having very poor eyesight, the pangolin initially doesn’t notice the approaching threat.
Path blocked
But when the lion blocks its path, it finally notices the movement and stops. Still unsure what it is dealing with, the pangolin stays still, hoping it will be ignored.
However, this does nothing to deflect the cub’s attention. Instead, it approaches for a closer look.
As a result, the pangolin decides its time to put its defences to work. Consequently, it curls its body into a tight ball, covering its vulnerable head with its thick, scaled tail.
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Backup arrives
It turns out the cub was not the only pride member watching the pangolin. And, when they see its sudden movement, they rush in to join their compatriot.
As they gather around the pangolin, the lionesses soon realise this is not worth their time or effort. No doubt, they’ve encountered pangolins before.
A learning experience
Subsequently, only the cubs remain, and they commence a prolonged effort to “unlock” their prize.
However, no matter what they try, they cannot pry the armoured ball open.
Eventually, they give up and the pangolin tries to leave.
However, the movement stimulates the cubs’ hunting instinct and they move in to try again.
To their frustration, however, the pangolin’s defence prove themselves up to the task. Yet again, the lions give up.
Ultimately, the pangolin begins to uncurl…
And, finding that the coast is clear and the lions have lost interest, it continues on its way, thankful for its ingenious, interlocking armour-plating.