Included in Manis by most authors (with Smutsia usually considered a subgenus) and referred to Phataginus by Grubb et al. (1998), but here included in the genus Smutsia, along with the Giant Pangolin (S. gigantea) following Gaudin et al. (2009). The preferred common name (as accepted by the African Pangolin Working Group and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Pangolin Specialist Group) is Temminck’s Pangolin. No subspecies are recognised.

Temminck's Pangolin is listed as Vulnerable under criteria A4cd because there is an inferred past/ongoing and future population reduction of 30–40% over a 45 year period (15 years past, 30 years future; generation length estimated at 15 years) based primarily on ongoing exploitation for traditional medicine and bushmeat throughout the species' range and evidence of increased intercontinental trade to Asia. True rates of decline are imperfectly known but are unlikely to exceed 50%. The assessors have chosen to take a precautionary approach in listing the species as Vulnerable, especially considering the burgeoning demand for pangolins in the Asian markets, the resultant severe declines in some Asian pangolin populations and more recently plausible declines in at least two African pangolin species and the unquantified levels of both local and international trade (although both are known to be increasing). The growing human population is also increasingly restricting this species to protected areas through a combination of direct persecution and habitat transformation, with a simultaneous decrease in the Area of Occupancy. Further research into the levels of trade and status of this species is urgently required.

The most widespread African pangolin species, recorded from southeastern Chad, through South Sudan, much of East Africa and southern Africa as far south as the Northern Cape, North-West and northeast KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa (Swart 2013, Pietersen et al. 2016), with the western limits of its range being reached in Namibia and southern Angola. The northern limits of the distribution are not well defined, although the species has been recorded from extreme northeastern Central African Republic, southeastern Chad and South Sudan (Swart 2013, APWG unpubl. data). They are also confirmed from the Omo River basin region of southwest Ethiopia and so probably do occur, marginally, in the western border regions of Ethiopia (Swart 2013). Their presence in Somalia is doubtful (Swart 2013). Records from West Africa undoubtedly refer to the Giant Pangolin (Smutsia gigantea; see Grubb et al. 1998). The species may have been extirpated in eSwatini (Pietersen et al. 2016)

In the eastern Lowveld of South Africa Temminck's Pangolins have an estimated breeding density of 0.12 individuals/km² and an estimated total density of 0.24 individuals/km² (Swart 2013). In the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, densities have been calculated at 0.16 reproductively active individuals/km² and overall densities at 0.23 individuals/km² (Pietersen et al. 2014). In the Gokwe district of Zimbabwe they had an estimated overall density of 0.11 individuals/km² (Heath and Coulson 1997, Pietersen et al. 2014); however populations in Zimbabwe are thought to have decreased since this time (L. Hywood and E. Connelly, unpubl. data). South Africa is estimated to have 16,329–24,102 mature individuals (Pietersen et al. 2016) but abundances in other regions of Africa are unknown.

This is a predominantly solitary, terrestrial species that inhabits mainly savannas and woodlands in low-lying regions with moderate to dense scrub where average annual rainfall is between 250 mm and 1,400 mm. Also occurs in floodplain grassland, rocky slopes and sandveld up to 1,700 m asl (Coulson 1989, Pietersen 2013, Swart 2013), but does not inhabit forest or true desert. It occurs widely on well-managed livestock farms where it is afforded protection from human persecution, but is absent from croplands and human settlements.

Temminck's Pangolins are largely water independent but will drink from free-standing water when it is available (Stuart 1980, D. Pietersen, unpubl. data). The most important habitat requirements are believed to be a sufficient population of the various ant and termite prey species and the availability of dens or above-ground debris in which to shelter. Ambient temperatures and annual temperature fluctuations are likely also important governing factors as these directly affect the prey species, while pangolins also have poor thermoregulatory capabilities and appear to rely on environmental conditions for thermoregulation (Pietersen 2013).

The female gives birth to a single young (rarely twins) after a gestation period of 105–140 days (van Ee 1966, D.W. Pietersen unpubl. data, R, Jansen, unpubl. data). Based on the gestation period, the observed time that it takes the female to regain her pre-parturition condition and field observations on the frequency of births, it is suspected that females may only give birth every second year. Adults come together briefly to mate and the offspring typically remains with the mother for 3–6 months, though this appears to vary somewhat with region (Pietersen et al. 2014, W. Panaino unpubl. data). Young start dispersing when about one year old (Pietersen et al. 2014).

There are very few data on the longevity of any pangolin species in the wild, making estimates of generation length difficult. Two Indian Pangolins (Manis crassicaudata), which have a similar ecology and are of a similar size to Temminck’s Pangolin, lived for 12 and 19 years, respectively, in captivity (Hoyt 1987; Weigl, 2005). Considering that captive pangolins usually show a greatly attenuated lifespan (Hoyt 1987, Hua et al. 2015), these lifespans are probably minimum estimates. Based on available growth rates, the relative late onset of the start of reproduction, the slow reproductive rate (on average one young per year, perhaps only every second year), and longevity of the sympatric Aardvark (Orycteropus afer), which has a similar ecology and life history, Temminck’s Pangolins are expected to be relatively long-lived, probably surviving for 20 years or more in the wild (D.W. Pietersen and L. Hywood, unpubl. data).

Although present in a number of protected areas across their range and protected by law in all range states (though not included as a protected species in all range states), it is inferred that Temminck's Pangolin numbers are declining due to an increasing demand for their body parts, including scales, for local and international use for medicinal purposes and superstitious value (Coulson 1985, Cunningham and Zondi 1991, Bräutigam et al. 1994, Whiting et al. 2011, Swart 2013, Xu et al. 2016, Baiyewu et al. 2018). Over-exploitation of Temminck's Pangolin for medicinal use is occurring in South Africa and elsewhere throughout its range, and is increasingly focused on core conservation areas (Cunningham and Zondi 1991, Baiyewu et al. 2018).

There has been a sharp increase in the number of individuals that have been seized from illegal trade since 2010 (APWG unpubl. data, Tikki Hywood Foundation unpubl. data). Although the final market for these individuals is unknown, the majority were confiscated in rural areas suggesting local use, although some were confiscated in ports and high-end suburbs suggesting that at least some individuals are likely destined for international markets or for local consumption, potentially by foreigners. This is further supported by large shipments of scales being exported from East Africa to Asia (Xu et al. 2016).
A number of seizures of African pangolins or their body parts in Asia (or en route to Asia) provide evidence of an intercontinental trade in African pangolins to Asian markets (Challender and Hywood 2012, Xu et al. 2016, Cheng et al. 2017, Heinrich et al. 2017). The demand for, and price of, pangolin products in Asia appears to be increasing, and traffickers are turning their attention to the African species. As syndicates smuggling pangolins (and rhino horn and ivory) from Africa to Asia become ever more sophisticated and as the Asian pangolin numbers dwindle, so African pangolin species have become more important as source populations for the Asian markets.
Across its range Temminck’s Pangolin is increasingly threatened by shifting agriculture, small-holder farming and agro-industry farming. These farming practices are directly impacting pangolins through habitat loss and alteration, while the increased human presence in these previously undisturbed areas is resulting in increased levels of poaching. Nomadic grazing is also having a negative impact on Temminck’s Pangolins across their range as a result of increased levels of poaching. In Zimbabwe, and likely in other parts of this species’ range, artisanal mining is negatively impacting pangolins and other wildlife species. Artisanal mining results in the creation of deep mining pits which are invariably abandoned once the mineral reserves are depleted. These pits are left uncovered and form lethal pitfall traps into which various animals fall and cannot escape. Artisanal mining also affects pangolins through increased rates of poaching and habitat destruction, while a lot of these mining activities (especially in Zimbabwe) occur within the borders of National Parks and other protected areas.
Temminck's Pangolins are regularly electrocuted on the lower strands of electrified fences in South Africa in particular (Beck 2008, Pietersen et al. 2014), but also throughout their range where electrified fences are prevalent. The mortality rate for South Africa is estimated at 2–13% of the total population per annum (Pietersen et al. 2016). Fencing is becoming more prevalent across this species’ range, and although not all of these fences are electrified, these fences are likely to become more prevalent and more widespread. Road mortalities are also having a negative impact on the species (Coulson 1989, Pietersen et al. 2014). In South Africa and Namibia accidental bycatch of Temminck’s Pangolins in gin traps that have been set for other species is also a threat, while in Zimbabwe substantial habitat alteration and loss of protected areas due to changes in the land use systems since independence has further impacted populations (L. Hywood, unpubl. data). Elsewhere in Africa local and international trade and habitat loss are the main threats, although reports of accidental electrocutions are increasingly reported from across the species’ range (L. Hywood, E. Connelly and D.W. Pietersen, unpubl. data).

The species is eaten as bushmeat to various extents across its range (for example in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and Tanzania), although its use as bushmeat appears to be limited. Of greater threat is overexploitation for body parts and scales which have superstitious and spiritual value and which are extensively used for medicinal purposes (Cunningham and Zondi 1991, Bräutigam et al. 2004, Setlalekgomo 2014, Baiyewu et al. 2018).

In Tanzania, Temminck’s Pangolins are sometimes referred to as Bwana mganga ('the doctor') because every part is believed to have some medicinal value (Wright 1954). Many East African people believe that burning pangolin scales keeps lions away (Kingdon 1971). Across their range the scales are widely believed to bring good luck and to bring rain, while smoke from burning scales is said to improve the health of cattle and cure persistent nose-bleeds. The amaZulu believe that seeing a pangolin indicates that there will be a drought, and the only way to prevent the drought is by killing the animal (Kyle 2000). Scales are also used as talismans and in traditional dress (Kyle 2000, Manwa and Ndamba 2011).
In Zimbabwe it is traditionally a good omen to catch and present a pangolin to a superior such as a local chief (Coulson 1985) and 25 individuals were reportedly captured and presented to the Zimbabwean president and other authority figures at the onset of majority rule in Zimbabwe.

Between 2008 and 2018 more than 100 Temminck’s Pangolins were seized in Africa, each comprising one individual (Challender et al. 2019). In South Africa, trade has increased dramatically with 10 individuals seized in 2016, 16 in 2017 and 43 in 2018 (APWG unpubl. data). In addition to local use, there is increasing evidence that at least some of the trade is destined for international markets (Challender and Hywood 2012, Xu et al. 2016).

Although locally extirpated in some areas (e.g., parts of South Africa - see Pietersen et al. 2016), Temminck's Pangolins occur in many national parks and other protected areas (e.g. Kruger National Park, South Africa). While it is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and is afforded at least some legislative protection in all range states, there is a need to improve protective legislation and facilitate capacity development to enforce this legislation over much of its range. Projects are needed to determine current population densities and rates of population decline through anthropogenic influences. These should be coupled with research into the scale of both local and intercontinental trade in this species. Mitigation measures are also required to reduce the number of pangolins that are electrocuted on electrified fences.