Order: Tubulidentata
Family: Orycteropidae
Genus & Species: Orycteropus afer
APPEARANCE
The aardvark is perhaps Africa's most unusual animal. It's name means
"earth pig" and yet is not even related to the pigs. The body is bulky and
the back is humped, somewhat resembling that of a rodent with much less
hair. The head is long and narrow, like that of an anteater, and ends in a
pig-like snout. The ears are very long, like those of a rabbit, and can move
independently of one another. The mouth contains 20 teeth situated near
the back of the jaws. The teeth themselves are remarkable in that they
continuously grow and yet lack both roots and enamel. Fine tubes radiate
through each tooth; Tubulidentata means "the tube-toothed". The mouth
contains another unusual feature: the long tongue. Somewhat like that of an
anteater, the tongue is 1.5 ft (45 cm) in length, thin, and sticky. It is perfect
for slipping between holes in termite nests and lapping up the insects.
The legs are short and powerful and end in webbed toes, four on each of the
front feet and five on each of the hind feet. The toes end in long blunt claws
excellent for digging burrows in the ground or holes in termite nests. The
claws are stronger than the head of a pick-axe.
Aardvarks grow to body lengths of 3-5 ft (90-150 cm). The thick, hairless,
rat-like tail grows to lengths of 1.5-2 ft (45-60 cm) and is used for defense.
The shoulder height is 2 ft (60 cm). Aardvarks weigh 100-170 lbs (45-77 kg).
Aardvarks are covered with a thick pink-grey skin that protects them from
insect bites. The body is sparsely covered with bristly hairs a yellowish- or
brownish-grey in colour. The leg hairs are darker than the body hairs. Long
white hairs 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) long grow from the nostrils. These hairs,
combined with folds of skin that cover the nostrils when the animal is
digging, protects the nose from dirt clogs and insect attacks.
Aardvarks are powerful diggers. They can stand on their hind feet for short
periods of time by resting on the base of their tail. They are not fast
runners. Aardvarks have a life span of 10 years.
HABITAT
Aardvarks are found throughout Africa. They can be found from Egypt and
Ethiopia south to the Cape of Good Hope, but are mainly found in the
sub-Saharan areas. They prefer open woodlands, grasslands, and savannas
with soft or sandy soils. They are plentiful wherever termites are found.
Aardvarks are nocturnal, sleeping in temporary burrows during the day.
They live solitary lives, getting together only to mate. They dig their own
shelters, but sometimes will take over old termite nests. Their burrows are
10 ft (3 m) long and end in a sleeping chamber. Breeding burrows are more
permanent and longer — up to 40 ft (12 m). Abandoned burrows are taken
over by aardwolves, crocodiles, pythons, porcupines, or various other small
mammals and even birds.
FOOD
Aardvarks feed primarily on termites during the dry season and soft-bodies
ants in the rainy season. They will travel long distances at night to locate
food. When a termite nest is found, the aardvark will dig a small hole in its
side and lap up the insects with its tongue. It will feed from the same nest
for several nights. When food is scarce, aardvarks will feed upon other
soft-bodies insects, small mammals, and fruit. In the zoo they are fed milk,
eggs, ground meat, and pablum.
ENEMIES
Aardvarks have several natural enemies, including: dogs, pythons, cheetahs,
leopards, lions, and ratels. Warthogs will eat the young. To protect
themselves against such enemies, they have several lines of defense. They
can run, dig a hole and hide in it, or defend themselves with their tail and
long claws. Man is their worst enemy, killing them for food, their tough
hide, or to be used as good luck charms. They are vulnerable to crop
farming.
Aardvarks are not presently considered to be threatened.
BREEDING
Little is known about the breeding habits of the aardvark. One, rarely two,
young is born in October or November after a 7 month gestation period.
The young weighs 4-5 lbs at birth. It stays in the burrow for 2 weeks, after
which it goes with its mother on nightly feeding trips. After 6 months it can
dig its own burrow and leaves its mother shortly thereafter.
RELATIVES
The aardvark has no known relatives, and is the only species in its order.
RESOURCES CITED
1. "Aardvark" Funk & Wagnall's Wildlife Encyclopedia, pg 3 Vol 1, 1974,
USA, BPC Pub Ltd
2. "Aardvark" Wildlife Fact File, IM Pub, USA
3. www.geobop.com/Mammals/Tubulidentata/6.htm
4. www.phillyzoo.org/pz0089.htm
5. planetpets.simplenet.com/plntarvr.htm
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