Orycteropus afer

(Pallas, 1766)

Aardvark

Figure 1. Photograph by D. De Luca.

Figure 2. FMNH 98096. Photograph by R. Banasiak.

Type Description:

Misc. Zool., p. 64

Type Locality:

South Africa, Western Cape Prov., Cape of Good Hope.

Measurements:

Total length: 1610-2000 mm

Head and body: 1000-1580 mm

Tail length: 445-610 mm

Ear length: 150-210 mm

Weight: 50-82 kg

Description:

While the aardvark is pig like in appearance, the long snout with circular nostrils and large tubular ears make it unmistakable. The cheek teeth are unique among mammals in having numerous hexagonal prisms of dentine.

Comparisons:

There is nothing like an aardvark!

Distribution:

The aardvark is widespread throughout Africa south of the Sahara excluding the equatorial areas from the Cameroons and Gabon to the western Congo and along the western coastline from Namibia to South Africa. This species can be found throughout a variety of vegetation types in areas that are abundant with ants, termites, and beetle larvae. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997)

Ecological Notes:

The aardvark is found in a variety of habitats across Tanzania, including forested slopes of some mountains. This animal is mainly nocturnal and eats ants and termites. It digs long tunnel systems with different chambers and several entrances.

Key Reference:

1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1:378-387.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 294-295.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1048-1049.