The aardvark resemble pig-like in appearance. Its body is stout with a prominently arched backand is sparsely covered with coarse hairs. The limbs are of moderate length, with the rear legs being longer than the forelegs.
The front feet do not possess thumb, resulting in four toes, while the rear feet have all five toes. Each toe bears a large, robust nail which is somewhat flattened and shovel-like, and appears to be intermediate between a claw and a hoof.
Aardvarks can weigh up to 65 kg and measure about 2.2 meters in length, including their heavy, 70 cm tail.
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Scientific classification of an aardvark
- Kingdom : Animalia
- Phylum : Chordata
- Class : Mammalia
- Order : Tubulidentata
- Family : Orycteropodidae
- Genus : Orycteropus
- Specie : O. Afer
Where do aardvark live ?
Aardvark are mammals native to Africa residing around the south of the Sahara desert. They are nocturnal animals that create branching burrows, typically 2–3 meters long. They frequently abandon old burrows and dig new ones, providing shelter for other species.
The aardvark’s diet consists almost entirely of ants and termites, which they lap up with their sticky tongues.
The only major habitat that they are not present in is swamp forest, as the high water table precludes digging to a sufficient depth. They also avoid terrain rocky enough to cause problems with digging.
What do they eat
Aardvarks feeds mainly on insects . Their diet consists almost entirely of ants and termites.
With their shovel-like claws, they tear open rock-hard termite mounds and ant nests with ease.
Once a nest is breached, the aardvark inserts its long, sticky tongue , which can extend up to 12 inchesinto the tunnels to lap up thousands of insects at a time.
Their thick skin protects them from the painful bites and stings of their prey.
Interesting facts about aardvark
They are good living Fossils
Aardvarks are the only surviving species of a whole order of mammals called Tubulidentata. Their DNA holds secrets to ancient mammalian history, and they haven’t changed much in years , even in millions of years.
They are powerful digger
An aardvark can dig a yard-long tunnel in just a few minutes. Their powerful , spoon -like claws allow them to slice through sun-baked termite mounds that are so hard you would need a pickaxe to break them.
They have peculiar teeth
Their teeth don’t have roots or enamel, and they never stop growing. Instead of a solid surface, each tooth is made up of a cluster of tiny, upright tubes fused together .
So because they can’t chew well, they have a muscular stomach similar to a gizzard that grinds up their food.
They can keep dust away
To keep dirt and angry insects out of their lungs while digging, aardvarks can completely seal their nostrils. They also have thick, coarse hairs inside their nose that act as a natural filtration system.
They can adapt to different ecosystem
Aardvarks are originated deeply in the African savanna. They dig massive underground burrows that they frequently abandon.
These empty fortresses provide crucial shelter, safety from wildfires, and nesting grounds for dozens of other animals, including hyenas, jackals, porcupines, reptiles, and birds.
