During a tour at the Londolozi Private Reserve in South Africa, writer Sonya Joy witnessed a rare and intriguing encounter.
A pair of lions attempted to break through the tough, rock-hard scales of a pangolin, but their efforts proved futile.
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As Joy and guide Tshepo Dzemba and forest ranger Mrisho Lugenge approached the scene; they saw a lioness scratching and biting at a curled-up pangolin.
Pangolins, about the size of domestic cats, rely on a unique defense mechanism to protect themselves from predators. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball, allowing their hard scales to cover their entire body.
This natural armor, made of keratin—the same tough protein found in rhino horns and fingernails—makes it nearly impossible for predators like lions to penetrate. Joy explained that the lioness’s teeth couldn’t find a way through the tightly packed scales.
Despite their efforts, the lions couldn’t crack the pangolin’s defenses. Safari Live guide Tristan Dicks notes that while lions occasionally manage to break open a pangolin’s scales, it’s a challenging task, especially with adult pangolins whose scales are thicker and more rigid. Young pangolins, with their softer scales, are more vulnerable to predators.
In this particular encounter, the lioness eventually called her companion for help, hoping that teamwork might help them breach the pangolin’s shell. However, as it grew darker, Joy’s group had to leave, uncertain whether the pangolin would survive.
The Lions may return for another attempt, but the underdog’s clever defense proved successful for now.
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