Why Pangolins

Pangolins are among the most extraordinary mammals on Earth — and yet, many people have never heard of them. That lack of awareness is part of the reason all eight species of pangolin are now threatened with extinction.

Understanding what a pangolin is — and why they matter — is the first step towards protecting them.

What is a pangolin?

Pangolins are unique, scale-covered mammals found across parts of Africa and Asia. Often compared to armadillos or anteaters (though they are related to neither), pangolins are instantly recognisable by their overlapping keratin scales — made from the same material as our fingernails.

They are gentle, solitary and nocturnal animals, entirely non-aggressive by nature. When threatened, a pangolin curls into a tight ball, using its scales as armour. While this defence works against natural predators, it offers little protection against human exploitation.

Why pangolins are so important

Pangolins play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Their diet consists almost entirely of ants and termites, with a single pangolin capable of consuming tens of thousands of insects in one night. By naturally controlling insect populations, pangolins help protect forests, grasslands and farmland from damage.

As they forage, pangolins also dig burrows that:

• Aerate the soil
• Improve water absorption
• Create shelter for other animals once abandoned

Because of this, pangolins are considered a keystone species — meaning their presence supports the balance and health of entire ecosystems. When pangolins disappear, the effects are felt far beyond a single species.

Why pangolins are under threat

Despite their ecological importance, pangolins are currently the most trafficked mammal in the world.

They are illegally hunted and traded for their scales — used in traditional medicines despite having no proven medicinal value — and for their meat, which is considered a luxury delicacy in some regions. Habitat loss caused by deforestation and land development further reduces the safe spaces pangolins need to survive.

Pangolins are also slow to reproduce, typically giving birth to just one offspring at a time. This makes population recovery extremely difficult once numbers decline.

Why protecting pangolins matters

Protecting pangolins is not just about saving a single species. It’s about:

• Preserving biodiversity
• Maintaining healthy ecosystems
• Protecting soil health and natural pest control
• Recognising our responsibility to safeguard vulnerable wildlife

Pangolins have existed on Earth for more than 80 million years. Their rapid decline has taken place within a single human lifetime — largely unnoticed.

Their story is a powerful reminder that species can slip quietly towards extinction, not only through harm, but through indifference.

Our commitment

At Pangolins – Consciously Curated, supporting pangolin conservation is woven into everything we do. Through our partnership with The Pangolin Project, we help fund habitat protection, research and on-the-ground conservation efforts that give pangolins a chance to survive and recover.

Every thoughtful choice — whether in how we shop, gift or support ethical causes — plays a small but meaningful part.

A quieter kind of hope

Pangolins are not loud or showy animals. They don’t roar or demand attention. They exist quietly, doing essential work that keeps ecosystems in balance.

Perhaps that is why protecting them matters so deeply.

Because caring for the planet often begins not with grand gestures, but with noticing — and choosing to protect — the quieter lives we share this world with.