Pangolin Vs Armadillo: How Are These Words Connected?

Pangolin vs. armadillo: these words seem to have nothing in common at first sight. However, if you know their definitions, you will understand how they are connected. We are ready to help you understand their connection and differences.

A pangolin is a long-tailed scale-covered and armored mammal. An armadillo is a mammal native to the North, Central, and South American region covered with hard body armor. The connection between these words is that they refer to animals with pointed snouts, long tails, and covered with body armor.

From the above explanation, you can tell that pangolin and armadillo are the names of animals people will often confuse for each other. Many people confuse a pangolin for an armadillo and vice versa because of their physical similarities. Read on to learn more about these words, from the definitions to their uses.

Definition For Pangolin And Armadillo

Unlike other similar English words, you cannot tell the connection between these words by looking at them. So, explaining the relationship and difference between a pangolin and armadillo is impossible if you do not know their definitions. Here are the meanings to get you started:

What Is The Definition Of Pangolin?

A pangolin is a mammal native to Asian and African regions. They are also known as scaly anteaters and are the only mammalian animals with a reptilian element. In this case, the reptilian feature is that they have scales on their skin to protect them from predators.

The pangolin scales are hard, large, and rich in keratin. Here is an example in a sentence, “I discovered the pangolin during my trip to Africa and Asia last summer.”

What Is The Definition Of Armadillo?

An armadillo is any of several burrowing, nocturnal mammals in the Dasypodidae family native to the Southern US. An armadillo has strong claws and a jointed protective covering made up of bony plates. An example in a sentence is, “Did you know that people from specific areas use armadillos as food?”

How To Properly Use Pangolin And Armadillo In A Sentence

Pangolin and armadillo are not common words you will often hear. It is because of the rarity of the animals that go by these names. You will also realize that most people who have seen armadillos have not seen pangolins, and vice versa, because they do not dwell in the same habitat.

However, a little extra knowledge never hurt anyone. So, let us look at some things you should consider when using pangolin and armadillo in sentences.

How To Use The Word Pangolin

Use this term as a noun when referring to a scaly anteater with a long tail and a scale-covered body. For example, in a sentence, “I saw a pangolin for the first time on TV yesterday.”

Since this is a countable noun, you can use its plural form, “pangolins.” For example, “Did you know that pangolins have soft stomachs?”

The correct pronunciation for the word pangolin is “/pang-guh-lin/” or “/pang-goh-lin/.” It is also worth mentioning that this word features three syllables.

How To Use The Word Armadillo

Use this word in a sentence to refer to a nocturnal mammal with a strong jaw and protective bony plates. In a sentence, “I want to get an armadillo as a pet for my birthday.”

The plural for armadillo is armadillos. For example, “Armadillos are hard to come across.” Also, the correct pronunciation for the word armadillo is “/ahr-muh-dil-oh/.” This word features four syllables.

Pangolin Vs. Armadillo: More Of These Words Connection

Pangolin and armadillo are connected because they refer to mammals with rigid bodies. While some literature will tell you that there aren’t any other connections to these words beside this, it is not entirely the truth. Below are different elements that explain the relationships between a pangolin and armadillo:

Morphology

The key similarity between the armadillo and pangolin is that they are both covered with hard shells. The armadillo’s back and hips feature layers of numerous bands of hard shells connected with stretchable skin. The number of hard-shell bone bands on an armadillo depends on the armadillo species.

On the other hand, the pangolin features spiky plates on its head, upper legs, and tail. It looks like large brown pine corn because of its flat, spiky plates. The plates give it a scaly look, which makes most people confuse it with an armadillo.

Defense Mechanism

Pangolins curl into a ball and emit a toxic chemical from their glands near their anus when faced with danger. In contrast, armadillos respond to danger by fleeing or digging to safety. However, in some cases, they also roll up into a ball.

Feeding

A pangolin eats termites, ants, and larvae. Armadillos eat termites, ants, larvae, fruit, and invertebrates. Note that pangolins strip their foods from trees or dig for them in the dirt. Like pangolins, armadillos also dig for their food.

List Of Examples Of Pangolin And Armadillo In Sentences

Pangolin and armadillo are pretty easy to use in sentences as long as you know what animal they describe. However, if you need some inspiration before using them in sentences, you have come to the right place.

We have come up with the following sentence examples that show how you can use the words pangolin and armadillo in sentences.

Example sentences of the word pangolin

1. A pangolin uses its hard scales to protect its soft stomach.
2. Jane spent several months researching the pangolin as the only mammal with reptilian qualities.
3. Traditional medicine men haunted pangolin species for their meat, organs, skin, and scales.
4. I mistook the pangolin in my backyard with an armadillo because I had never seen one before.
5. Jane showed me a photo of the pangolin she captured during her field trip.

Example sentences of the word armadillo

1. I’ve always thought an armadillo belonged to the same taxon family as dinosaurs.
2. My pet armadillo loves to make guest appearances when sleeping.
3. I begged and cried until my mother agreed to buy me a pet armadillo.
4. Jane won the literary award for her long and creative armadillo story.
5. My first instinct was to run when I saw the armadillo in my backyard.

Pangolin Vs. Armadillo: The Differences

A pangolin and an armadillo are mammals with a few similarities. If you have never seen either of them, you may easily confuse them with each other. Learn more about their differences.

Habitat And Distribution

One of the differences between the armadillo and pangolin is where they are based. Note that the pangolin and armadillo do not dwell in the same habitat. You can hardly see them in the same place. The pangolin is native to South Asia and South Africa, while the armadillo is native to South America and North America. Also, Pangolins live in trees or underground tunnels. In contrast, armadillos live in underground dens.

Size And Teeth

Pangolins are typically 12 to 55 inches long and weigh between 4.4, while armadillos generally are 5 to 59 inches long and weigh from 4 ounces to 119 pounds. So, pangolins are larger than armadillos.

Moreover, pangolins do not have teeth. In comparison, armadillos have teeth that are not split into molars or premolars. Also, armadillos do not have incisors or canines.

Appearance

Armadillos have gray scales that resemble plated armor. In contrast, pangolins are brown, and their armors look like pointy scales, resembling artichokes.

Conclusion

You may never notice the differences if you have never seen an armadillo or pangolin in real life or photos. As much as people love comparing them, these mammals have little in common. As you have read, they do not look similar or belong to the same family. We hope that you find the content in this post helpful.