The aardvark is
not the same animal as the
anteater. They do not live on the same side of the
Atlantic (
Africa and
South America, respectively) and despite a similar diet, they are not even related—though they were once thought to be related to anteaters and
armadillos (
pangolins were also in that group and later found to have a separate Order, themselves). The similar shape, particularly in the snout, as well as the long tongue (with its sticky saliva) are thought to be results of
convergent evolution rather than relatedness (which ends at the Subclass level of
Eutheria, or
placental mammals).
In fact, the aardvark isn't much related to many animals beyond that level. It has its own Order (Tubulidentata), Family (Orycteropodidae), Genus (Orycteropus), and is the single species. This taxonomically lonely creature is Orycteropus afer (from two Greek words meaning "a tool for digging" and "foot" and Latin for Africa).
The aardvark is considered a subungulate and the last surviving member of its particular lineage. While it isn't thought to be closely related to the Order Xenarthra (anteaters, armadillos, sloths; sometimes the Order is called Edentata) or Polidota (pangolins), they are thought to be more closely related to Sirenia ( manatees and dugongs), Hyracoidea ( hyraxes), and Proboscidea ( elephants).
That out of the way...the aadrvark. Many people know that the name comes from Afrikaans meaning "earth pig" (probably due to sightings of the animal out rooting around termite mounds) and that they eat termites and ants. And that's about it. But there is much more to this interesting creature. A few to start with. The Swahili name is Muhanga and unlike its previously supposed relatives, the aardvark is not purely an insectivore. It has been known to eat small mice on occasion and a wild cucumber that is referred to as the "aardvark pumpkin." Its stomach is similar to a gizzard.
Details:
Length (body): 110 cm (44 inches)
Length (tail): 60-70 cm (24-28 inches)
Length (tongue): up to 35 cm (13.7 inches)
Height (at shoulder): 60 cm (24 inches)
Weight: 60-80 kg (132-176 pounds)
The aardvark is found exclusively in Africa (some fossil remains suggest that ancestors may have been in North America), primarily a sub-Saharan animal. It is quite widely spread with the exception of the rain forest regions on the West coast. Pretty much anywhere a rich supply of termites can be found, so can the aardvark.
Another necessity is good soil for digging (too hard and it will look elsewhere). The aardvark is an amazing digger with webbed toes and hard nails (sort of an intermediate between nails and hooves). Its short, powerful legs have four digits on the front feet and five on the rear (the rear legs are slightly longer). This enables them not only to dig into the hard termite mounds for food but to create their burrows which can be 2-3 m (6.5-9.8 feet) which end in a chamber where the nocturnal creature "balls up" to sleep during the day. Longer burrows of as much as 13 m (43 feet) with multiple entrances have been found. Such an accomplished digger, the aardvark can actually use burrowing as a means of escape and animals have been found that were able to dig away faster than several men with shovels.
Aardvarks have a sort of grey-brown hide with a small amount of brownish or yellowish hair. Unlike the anteater, whose thick hair protects it from insect bites, the aardvark's tough skin performs that function. The back is slightly arched and the tail is short and tapers to a point. It has longish ears which it tends to hold close to itself and nostrils that can be closed (ideal for a digging animal). It has a long, narrow snout (similar to those animals it was once thought to be so closely related).
The animal has an excellent sense of smell and hearing but rather poor eyesight. They have been known to run into bushes and trees when startled into fleeing—though the animal is not defenseless and will use its strong legs and claws for protection, even rolling onto its back to attack with all four legs.
Then there are the teeth, which might be one of the oddest things about this creature. There are no incisors or canines and only cheek teeth toward the back of the jaw. So unlike anteaters, the aardvark does have teeth (technically anteater embryos have teeth but they are reabsorbed by the body prior to birth). But they aren't ordinary teeth. Its Order name comes from the peculiar characteristics of the teeth: Tubulidentata, meaning "tubule toothed." Unlike most mammals, the teeth have no hard enamel covering the tooth and are made of dentine arranged in hexagonal columns called prisms. They do have a coating of cementum which is usually found surrounding the root in most mammals. The aardvark's teeth, on the other hand, have no roots and, similar to a rodent, continue growing throughout its lifespan.
The aardvark is a generally solitary creature and males and females occupy separate burrows. Since only the females maintain consistent ranges, it is thought aardvarks are polygamous. The gestation period is about seven months and the timing varies, probably due to the rainy season. The usual litter is one, but sometimes two will be born. The young are born pink and without hair, weighing 1.8-2.2 kg (4-5 pounds). They do not leave the burrow for at least two weeks, eat their first solid food at three months, and are nursed for four. About six months after birth the young are ready to dig on their own and usually leave the mother at that time (the females usually stay until another baby is born). Sexual maturity comes at two years and aardvarks have been known to live up to 23 years.
They are not endangered but have had decreases in numbers due to hunting by humans for food (yes, said to taste like pork), sport (the animal, though nocturnal and able to dig quickly, is quite slow), and " curios" (claws, for instance, used as charms or souvenirs). Natural predators include lions, hyenas, and leopards.
More interesting facts about the aardvark:
- Aardvarks are actually pretty good swimmers.
- It can travel up to 10 km (6.2 miles) a night, zigzagging across the ground in search of food.
- The aardvark is colorblind.
- They have been heard to make sounds (like a grunt or a bleat) when frightened.
- Aardvarks are very important in termite control, though their burrows can damage farmland and can make it hazardous for vehicles and horses.
- Empty burrows are used as homes to all sorts of other animals, including small mammals, birds, crocodiles, and the aardwolf (also not related).
- The aardvark also has the peculiar habit of burying its feces in shallow holes about 10 cm (3.9 inches) deep. It is thought to be done to avoid detection of other aardvarks.
(Sources: http:animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu, www.ultimateungulate.com/aardvark.html, www.awf.org/wildlives/60, www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/aardvark/aardvark.html, www.geobop.com/Mammals/Tubulidentata/index.htm)