The aardvark has a body like a pig, ears like a rabbit, and it licks up ants like an anteater. A very long tongue allows aardvarks to slurp dirt in their mounds up. The tongue is up to 30 cm.
Aardvarks reside during Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name stems out of South Africa’s Afrikaans language also means”earth pig” It includes a kangaroo tail along with ears. Aardvarks can dig 15 minutes for almost 1 meter.
Aardvarks reside in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Aardvarks share common ancestors with moles and dinosaurs. Aardvark using long ears claws, and an extensile tongue and feeding on termites and ants.
Aardvark Characteristics
Aardvarks are nocturnal. They invest the hot day holed up in trendy burrows dug using claws and their feet which resemble spades. In getting their meals — termites aardvarks place those claws. Their tongue could be up to 30 cm.
Whilst dabbling in grasslands and woods aardvarks, also known as”antbears,” can travel a few mph in search of big, earthen termite mounds.

An aardvark utilizes its long wormlike tongue to feast on the pests inside also digs through the casing of some mound using its claws. Its nostrils may shut from damaging its snout to help keep germs and dust, and it is protected by its skin. It utilizes a strategy to raid ant nests that are underground.
Female aardvarks have a gestation of seven weeks and generally give birth to a newborn annually. The young stay prior to digging their own burrows, which can be dwellings that have openings that are unique and going out.
Infants are known as Trainers or cubs. Cubs weigh about 4.4 pounds. (2 pounds ) if they’re born. At two years old, the two guys and females are sexually mature and prepared to own offspring of their own.
Aardvark Facts
- Aardvarks could eat around 60000 ants and termites in 1 night, Because of the 30cm-long tacky tongue
- They could seal their nostrils, to keep dust out and ants.
- They have poor vision but also a very keen sense of smell and Decent hearing
- Their spoon-shaped claws are like steel and used to tear into the extremely tough floor and termite mounds
- Their burrows, frequently at termite mounds, maybe around 13m long and have many entrances
- They alter burrows often, giving a Chance for subsequent inhabitants such as crazy dogs, pythons, warthogs and Southern African shelduck
- They’re nocturnal and traveling around 16km Nightly, foraging for food
- Aardvarks weigh 120 lbs and can attain around 4 ft in length.
- Together with the body of a pig, the ears of a bunny, tongue of an anteater and tail of a kangaroo, that monster is, in Actuality, the sole species in its own Purchase and likely most closely associated with elephants
What eats an Aardvark?
The key predators of aardvarks are lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, pythons, leopards and people. It may defend itself if attacked with its claws and feet, Though aardvark appears like a creature.
The aardvark’s fast grinding ability helps protect it from predators, like hyenas and lions. Aardvark’s claws are equally powerful as a pickaxe. Aardvark squeals like a pig when upset.
Humans will be the aardvark’s largest danger. Some landowners destroy the aardvarks and do not enjoy the holes which aardvarks depart behind. The usage of pesticides to grow plants on soil has decreased the number of insects.
Strong diggers, aardvarks utilize thick claws to dig right into termite and ant mounds seeking insects to consume. The species has a very slender tongue. They’re nocturnal, resting during the daytime and foraging for food during the night.
Frequently asked questions
Aardvark Conservation Status
Aardvarks aren’t jeopardized and therefore are categorized at the concern with IUCN. This is in spite of the fact that aardvarks’ population isn’t understood and the population appears to be diminishing in several regions of Africa because hunting and population increase.
What is another name for an aardvark?
Another name for its aardvark is ANT BEAR along with EARTH PIG.
Do aardvarks have fur?
Aardvarks are light yellowish-grey in color with short fur around the tail and head and long fur around the thighs.
Are aardvarks dangerous to humans?
Aardvarks aren’t harmful to people. They’ve claws that are strong. They are not a cure to people, although they could be harmful if they’re disturbed.
How smart are Aardvarks?
Aardvarks are intelligent mammals. They don’t get out in the afternoon. Aardvarks totally avoid the sexy weather. Aardvarks are nocturnal. They are active during the night and sleep through the day time.
The burrows they dig out would be on the floor, therefore they are far cooler than outside in the sunlight.