In this week’s edition of Fantasy Brawls we have two adorable, armored combatants duking it out. The world's prickliest rodent, the Porcupine will take on the armor plated, real life Sandshrew, the Pangolin. Both animals pack some major defensive abilities so expect a long, drawn out battle if neither creature can land a decisive blow. We’ll begin this battle analysis by first determining which of these creatures is larger.
Pangolin vs Porcupine: Who is bigger?
These animals are comparable in size. The Pangolin, specifically the Giant Pangolin, tips the scales at 70 or more pounds. A respectable weight for a creature in this class. Its rival, the Cape Porcupine (biggest spiny rodent in the world), is a little smaller, clocking in at around 53 pounds. This gives the Pangolin a nice weight advantage. But does that added weight make them slower than the Porcupine? Let’s find out.
Pangolin vs Porcupine: Who is faster?
Both of these animals are cute, but dirt slow. In fact, a motivated enough toddler could probably outpace them in a race. Of the two, the Pangolin is slightly faster, moving at around 3 miles per hour while the Porcupine hits speeds of 2 miles per hour. The difference in speed doesn’t really matter much in this battle, but in terms of raw numbers, the Pangolin scores another advantage. How does this speed translate to agility?
Pangolin vs Porcupine: Who is more agile?
No one will ever accuse a porcupine of being agile, and for good reason. They are tanks with quills that have evolved to give them one of the best defensive systems in the animal kingdom. Porcupines don’t bob and weave or roll, they flare those sharp quills up and give them to any willing participant.
Pangolins were the inspiration for the Pokemon Sandshrew. And if you know anything about Pokemon, Sandshrew’s primary means of locomotion is rolling. These animals turn into balls at will to evade predators and protect their softer under bellies. So, in the agility department the winner is the Pangolin. Finally, we’ll examine the weaponry each combatant brings to the Fantasy Brawl.
Who has the better weaponry/armor: Porcupine or Pangolin?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the armor and weapons that are going to decide this battle.
Pangolin
- Thick scales
- Ability to roll up in a ball, concealing vitals
- Strong front arms, capable of digging tough terrain and smacking a porcupine or two
- Cannot bite, but can lick an ice cream cone like no other
Porcupine
- Super sharp quills
- Strong defensive posture
- Strong, rodent teeth good enough to gnaw through tough material
Overall both animals have what it takes to survive in their respective habitats. But in the Fantasy Brawls arena it's better to have a strong defense if you are severely lacking in offense. Given that neither animal has much offensive capability, it's effectively a draw in that area. However in terms of defensive prowess the edge goes to the porcupine by a wide margin.
The Pangolin’s hide is tough but being able to blind potential attackers with quills is simply overpowered. The winner in the armor category goes to the Porcupine. Now, with the battle analysis complete, let’s move into the Fantasy Brawl!
Fantasy Brawl: Pangolin vs Porcupine!
This battle starts out with a hungry Pangolin venturing into an extremely angry Porcupine’s home turf. The Porcupine immediately gets into its warning posture and begins shaking those dangerous quills vigorously. The Pangolin, who isn’t normally a fighter, decides to press on because there are some really tasty termites in Porcupine’s domain.
The Pangolin circles the porcupine using its slightly superior speed and agility. Its goal is to land a decisive paw swipe on its opponent’s vulnerable areas. The Porcupine noticing this, continues to circle in the opposite direction. This dance goes on for a bit until the porcupine decides to press forward with its quills.
The Pangolin rears up on its hind legs to strike the Porcupine and just as it does, it catches a barrage of quills right in the chest. The Pangolin recoils in pain and retreats to safer pastures. The Porcupine is victorious!
More Fantasy Brawls Await!
Those nasty quills were too much for Sandshrew to overcome. And Pangolins really don’t possess enough power to incapacitate anything that isn't an ant or termite. If you enjoyed this battle but want something a little more action packed, check out the brawl between Charizard and Greymon. Two classic monsters from my favorite gaming franchises will duke it out to see who the best Fire starter in all of fiction is. And, if you’d like to play out this battle, check out Fantasy Brawls - The Online Game
Be prepared, the battle will be one of attrition as both creatures have the same attribute, Earth, low attack power, and high defensive power. For the Pangolin to truly claim an edge, you’ll want to register for a free account, capture, and train one yourself. Once he’s leveled up a bit, you should be ready to take on the porcupine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pangolins Endangered?
Sadly, yes. Every one of the eight pangolin species is on the endangered list somewhere, thanks to poaching and black-market demand for their scales. These gentle “armor beasts” are now some of the most trafficked mammals on Earth. In the wild, a Pangolin’s worst enemy isn’t the Porcupine..it’s you. Well not you, my cherished reader, but your species..humans.
Did Pangolins Start COVID?
Nope. Pangolins got unfairly dragged into that rumor. Early studies found a similar coronavirus in them, but the real culprit still points back to bats. Pangolins might have been innocent bystanders in the viral drama, but they didn’t start the pandemic. Leave the poor scaly guys out of that one.
Can Porcupines really fire their quills?
No, contrary to popular belief, the animals do not turn their quills into projectiles. They do, however, break off and they can shake them. But their little bodies do not possess a propulsion system to fire them off.
Do Pangolins ever fight Porcupines?
While their territories overlap at times, these animals are generally non-violent. If two crossed paths in the wild, they would likely interact.
What are Pangolins? Rodents, Armadillos, Anteaters…Pokemon?
Pangolins are members of the Pholidota family and are actually more closely related to a house cat than an armadillo!
Which has stronger armor: Pangolin scales or Porcupine quills?
Pangolin scales are harder, made entirely of keratin, while porcupine quills are designed to embed and irritate. One deflects damage, the other inflicts it. Against a predator, both are top-tier natural defenses.
Can Pangolins actually roll uphill?
Not really. Once curled, they’re heavy and can roll downhill easily but have little control or uphill momentum. That’s one reason why terrain matters in a Fantasy Brawl matchup.
Do Porcupines ever use their teeth in combat?
Yes, but rarely. Those large orange incisors are capable of gnawing through bark, bones, or wooden obstacles. In close quarters, they could bite, but the quills are always the primary deterrent.
Who would win in a real-life encounter?
It would likely be a stalemate. Both creatures would avoid direct confrontation. The Porcupine’s quills might deter the Pangolin, but its scales would prevent serious injury. In Fantasy Brawls, though, defense can only go so far before endurance becomes the deciding factor.
