The aardvark is a burrowing, nocturnal animal closely related to anteaters and armadillos of America. The strong powerful limbs help to dig burrows and tear up termite mounds. The aardvark can eat up to 50,000 insects each night which it collects with its sticky tongue that it can extend to 30cm. This solitary animal is related to elephants!!! An expert digger, even in hard ground the aardvark can dig faster than several people with shovels!!! It has a keen sense of hearing.
Classification
| |||||||||||||
Facts
Scientific Name : Orycteropus afer
Other names : earthpig
Biggest threat : humans
Predators : lions, leopards, pythons and hyenas
Food : ants and termites.
Diet : omnivore
Life span : Up to 23 years in captivity
Length : Total length: 140 - 220 cm
Tail length: 44 - 71 cm
Weight : 110 to 180 lbs (50 to 82 kg)
Range : Africa
Habitat : tropical grasslands
