What kind of animal is an aardvark? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This animal has been confirmed to inhabit a fairly wide area on the African continent, and can even be seen in zoos. Among all mammals, the ecology of this animal is the least understood, and there are many mysteries surrounding it.
What is an aardvark? About basic status
The aardvark is a mammal classified in the order Aardvaridae, genus Aardvark, and is the only animal belonging to the primitive ungulate order Tubedontidae. The scientific name is Orycteropus afer, and the kanji is earth pig. The body length is 140-220cm and the weight is 40-100kg. Although the name is pig, it has nothing to do with pigs. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | ツチブタ |
| English（英名） | Aardvark |
| scientific name(学名) | Orycteropus afer |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Tubulidentata、 Orycteropodidae、Orycteropus 哺乳綱、管歯目、ツチブタ科、ツチブタ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 140-220cm |
| Weight（体重） | 40-100kg |
About classification
The aardvark is the only mammal classified in the genus Aardvark and a member of the primitive ungulate order Tulodontidae.
Aardvark Taxonomy
| 分類階級 | 分類名 |
|---|---|
| 界 | 動物界（Animalia） |
| 門 | 脊索動物門（Chordata） |
| 亜門 | 脊椎動物亜門（Vertebrata） |
| 綱 | 哺乳綱（Mammalia） |
| 目 | ツチブタ目（Tubulidentata） |
| 科 | ツチブタ科（Orycteropodidae） |
| 属 | ツチブタ属（Orycteropus） |
| 種 | ツチブタ（Orycteropus afer） |
About habitat
Aardvarks are widely distributed on the African continent. They live south of the Sahara Desert.
- Region
Distributed primarily throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Representative countries:
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, etc.)
- Habitat
Prefers arid zones, savannas, and grasslands.
Requires sandy or soft soil where burrows can be dug.
Can also live in forested or humid areas, but requires a secure location for burrowing.
Can survive in dry areas far from water, but avoids deserts with little vegetation.
- Burrows and Living Space
During in long burrows (up to 10m long).
Burrows are used as daytime resting areas, and aardvarks are active at night, feeding on termites and ants.
Burrows are often used alone, but in some cases, multiple aardvarks may dig nearby burrows.
- Geographical Distribution
Distributed over a relatively wide area, primarily in central and southern Africa.
However, there are some areas where populations have declined due to human agricultural and urbanization.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The aardvark is characterized by a long snout. They mainly live in forests and grasslands. They tend to live alone and are nocturnal animals. With their shovel-like claws, they tend to dig a number of burrows within their home range that serve as temporary shelters, and in a pinch they will escape into the holes. They have no teeth or canines, and their molars are made up of tube-shaped objects that continue to grow throughout their lives.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Type
Rounded body, sturdy but surprisingly agile
Forelegs with thick, powerful claws suited to digging
Size and Weight
Body Length: Approximately 1-1.3 m
Tail Length: Approximately 60 cm
Weight: Approximately 40-65 kg
Head
Long, tubular snout with a flexible tip
Uses snout to search for termite and ant nests
Teeth
Almost no front teeth, with numerous rows of tubular molars
Teeth evolved for crushing insects
- Coat Color and Skin
Coat color is gray to brown, with short body hair
Tough skin protects against abrasion during digging and from ant and termite bites
- Personality and Behavior
Nocturnal, resting in burrows during the day
Generally docile and solitary
Shy and tending to avoid humans and predators
Excellent digging ability, digging burrows up to 10 meters long
- Diet
Exclusive insectivores (especially ants and termites)
Use their long snouts and sticky tongues to lick insects from their burrows
Requires very little water, hydrating themselves through food
- Special Abilities
Excellent digging ability
Builds underground burrows to protect themselves from predators
Digs in the soil to search for insects hiding underground
Nocturnal with an excellent sense of smell
Can find ants and termites even in the dark
What is your personality like?
Aardvarks are very gentle animals, but they can also be fearful. It is said that it takes a long time to get attached to people.
Aardvark Personality Traits
Slow and timid
Highly wary of predators and humans
If they sense danger, they will immediately retreat to their burrow
Prefers solitary behavior
Generally solitary
Rarely lives in groups, with mothers raising their young alone
Nocturnal and cautious
Rests in burrows during the day and becomes active at night
Even while active, they remain alert to their surroundings while searching for food
Patient and observant
Concentrates on digging and foraging
Can detect danger from small movements and scents
Curious but cautious
Will approach anything that interests them, but will quickly retreat at the slightest sense of danger
Although they appear docile to humans, they are extremely cautious in the wild
What is the ecology like?
Aardvarks use their long tongues to eat termites. They are thought to be polygynous, and there is no known fixed breeding season. The gestation period is 7 months. They can give birth to one baby at a time. Lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
- Habitat
Distributed primarily in sub-Saharan Africa
Prefers savanna, dry grasslands, and semi-arid regions
Digs burrows in areas with soft soil and rests in them during the day.
- Behavior
Nocturnal: Rests in burrows during the day and becomes active at night.
Excellent digging ability, digging into the ground to search for termites and ants.
Mainly solitary, rarely encountering other aardvarks.
- Diet
Exclusively insectivorous (mainly termites and ants).
Uses its long snout and sticky tongue to lick insects from its burrow.
Very little water required, hydrating itself through food.
- Burrows/Dwellings
Excellent burrow digging ability.
Can reach lengths of up to 10 meters.
Deep, about 2-3 meters, it is used for daytime resting and security.
Burrows are used independently and are rarely shared by multiple aardvarks.
- Reproduction and Rearing
They give birth to one baby at a time.
After giving birth, the mother protects the baby in a den.
The baby is breastfed for several weeks, after which it acquires the ability to forage for itself.
They grow relatively slowly and become fully independent by 2-3 years of age.
Are there any natural enemies?
Aardvark’s natural enemies are carnivores such as hyenas and jackals. When they spot an enemy, they run into their burrow.
About Baby Aardvarks
Here’s a detailed summary of baby aardvarks.
- Appearance and Characteristics
Birth Weight: Approximately 2-3 kg
Body Length: Approximately 30-40 cm
Fur color: Light gray to brown, with soft, short fur
Snouts are still small, and claws on the front legs are still developing
Molar teeth are small at birth, but as they mature, they become able to crush insects
- Behavioral Ability
Able to stand and walk immediately after birth
Survival Skills for Escape from Predators
They may follow their mother and move outside the burrow within a few days of birth
Digging skills and snout usage are immature and are gradually learned through instruction from the mother
- Defense and Hiding
Mothers have the habit of hiding their young deep in the burrow
Cubs remain largely immobile and remain safe within the burrow
They rely on their mother’s actions for protection from predators
- Diet and Growth
They feed on their mother’s milk for the first few weeks after birth.
They begin to eat ants and termites in the burrow a few weeks after birth.
They grow slowly, becoming independent and able to forage for food on their own around 6-12 months of age.
- Sociality
Cubs generally stay alone and stay close to their mother.
They rarely come into contact with other aardvarks.
They grow up learning about hunting and environmental hazards.
Is the aardvark an endangered species?
The aardvark is currently not an endangered species and is classified as Least Concern. However, there are concerns that the population will decrease in the future. Droughts are common in Africa, and aardvarks that have died due to drought are often found.
- Current Status
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the aardvark is classified as “Least Concern (LC).”
This means that while it is not currently endangered, its population may be declining in some areas.
- Population Status
Due to its widespread distribution across Africa, its overall population is relatively stable.
However, there are areas where its habitat is experiencing localized decline due to agricultural land development, urbanization, road construction, etc.
- Threats
Habitat Destruction
Development of savannas and grasslands, agricultural land development, road construction
Predators
Lions, leopards, and hyenas prey on young aardvarks.
Human Conflict
If their dens are located near agricultural land, they may be considered pests.
- Conservation Status
Since it is not an endangered species, there are few large-scale conservation efforts.
However, habitat conservation and avoiding conflicts with agricultural land are considered important.
Can aardvark be kept as a pet?
Aardvarks are creatures that emit a very strong odor. Furthermore, they have a habit of constantly digging with their claws, so they are not very suitable for breeding. We recommend that you check out the information provided at events such as zoos.
- Legal Issues
Aardvarks are wild animals, and keeping them as pets without special permission is illegal in most countries.
In Japan, they may be classified as “designated animals” or wild animals, requiring permission from the prefectural governor to keep them.
Internationally, import and export restrictions may be imposed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- Ecological and Behavioral Issues
Nocturnal: Because they rest in burrows during the day, they hide in captivity, making observation difficult.
Highly digging ability: In captivity, they dig up floors and gardens, making them difficult to control.
Preferring to be solitary: Due to their low sociality, it is difficult to keep them in groups.
Sensitive and timid: They are easily stressed by environmental changes and humans.
- Conditions Necessary for Keeping (Theoretically)
Even if they are legally kept, the following conditions are required:
A large exercise area and soil that can be dug
An environment where they can be active at night (light and noise control)
A constant supply of insectivores (termites and ants)
Management by a veterinarian with expertise in wildlife
- Practical Alternatives as Pets
Aardvarks themselves cannot be kept as pets, but small herbivores/insectivores with similar habits can be kept.
Examples: Miniature rabbits, hedgehogs, etc.
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