Difference between Armadillo and Pangolin

Family

Armadillos belong to the enigmatic Cingulata order, which itself belongs to the ancient and wildly diversified Xenarthra superorder, which also includes ground sloths and armoured mammals.

The order Armadillidae has around 20 extant species of armadillos.Dasypodidae is the family that contains armadillos.

Pangolins, often known as scaly anteaters, belong to the family Manidae of the placental mammal order Pholidota. It's safe to say that pangolins are one of the most peculiar animal families.

Morphology

Armadillos are unique among mammals because of their tough exoskeleton and powerful digging claws. Its protective covering, known as a carapace, is brown and as sturdy as a suit of armour.

One of the most recognisable aspects of an armadillo is its integument. The name translates to "small armoured one" from the Spanish, a nod to the bony plates that make up majority of the animal's exterior.

Pangolins, often known as scaly anteaters, are easily identifiable by the armour of overlapping epidermal scales that cover their whole bodies. They are unique among mammals in having armour that develops from their thick dermis.

Physical Features

The armadillo is a big mammal with a long tail and short, scaly legs. Small, sharp eyes sit atop long, snub noses in this species. On an average, armadillos measure around 75 cm (about 30 inches) in length (tail included) and weigh between nine and sixteen pounds.

The maximum length of the enormous armadillo is 150 cm. The enormous armadillo is a deep brown, while the pink fairy armadillo is a gorgeous salmon tint.

Depending on their size at birth, pangolins can range in weight from 3.5 to 73 pounds. The biggest living pangolin species is the huge ground pangolin.

Without teeth, pangolins must rely on their strong muscles and the little stones they store in their stomach to break down their meal.

Habitat and Diet

Rain forests, grasslands, semiarid regions, and other types of wooded habitats are typical warm-climate homes for armadillos. Some people want to settle down near water, specifically rivers and streams.

Locations where you're most likely to find them include southern USA, Central America, and South America. Outside of South America, you won't find any armadillos unless you count the nine- branded variety. The nine-banded armadillo is the only member of the Xenarthra family found in North America. They consume various insects such as ants, beetles, and termites.

The savannah, tropical woods, and dry woodlands are all sandy environments that pangolins call home. They prefer to locate near bodies of water. The pangolin's range includes much of Africa, from the south to the east.

The Indian pangolin, the Chinese pangolin, the Sunda pangolin, and the Palawan pangolin are the four species of pangolin found in Asia.

The ground pangolin, the gigantic pangolin, the white-bellied pangolin, and the black-bellied pangolin are all species of pangolin found in Africa. Ants and termites are the mainstays of the pangolin's diet.

Reproduction

During the late summer, between the months of June and September, armadillos have their mating season. Unlike other mammals, the fertilised egg (zygote) in a female armadillo floats freely in the uterus for some time before it is implanted.

A two-year delay has been observed, although normally this takes three to four months. The fertilised egg divides into four zygotes, each of which develops into a new human being.

Male and female pangolins are only thought to interact socially during mating season due to the species' reputation as a loner. The mating season occurs once a year, often in the late summer or early fall.

The tails of the male and female become intertwined during the copulation process. Women typically only have one child and a pregnancy lasts around 140 days.