The aardvark, a name loosely translated as “earth pig”, is an extremely shy, mainly nocturnal animal and a very rare find in the Kruger National Park. Also known as the African ant bear or Cape anteater, it uses its incredible sense of smell to find termites, digs into their nests and catches them with its long, sticky tongue.
The Aardvark, loosely translated as “Earth Pig”, is a very rare find in the Kruger National Park. This unusual animal is also known as “African Ant Bear” or Cape Anteater.
Aardvarks are generally the size of a small pig and from head to rump they are anything from 100 to 140 centimetres excluding the tail. Their tails are about 50 cm long and believe it or not, their tongues can be up to 30 centimetres long!! Their front legs are muscular and they have long nails specially designed for digging.
The Aardvark is an extremely shy, mainly nocturnal animal. These animals have an incredible sense of smell which they use to find termites. Once termites are sniffed out, they dig till they get to the nest. They then use their long sticky tongues to catch the termites, which they will swallow whole. The Aardvark has a digestive system much like a bird, the stomach designed to break up insects. Digestive enzymes in the saliva assist with digestion. The only teeth they have are 20 tubular teeth at the back of the jaw, and these never stop growing.
In the dry season, Aardvarks eat mainly ants, while in the wet season their main diet will be termites. These unusual animals forage in a zigzag fashion across the veld, smelling out columns of termites. If water is around, Aardvarks will drink water, but they are not dependant on water, as they can live with just the moisture they find in their diet. Once they find a favourite eating mound they will mark it by secreting from the groin glands. Since the Aardvark is a nocturnal animal, they usually return to their burrows before dawn.
Aardvarks use their muscular front legs to dig out their dwellings. Some of these dwellings are up to 6 meters below ground and can have as many as 8 entrances. The Aardvarks burrows are wide enough to fit themselves, thus making it impossible for their predators, Lion or Hyena to fit into. Aardvark males are solitary animals and will only be seen with females during the mating season. The females, on the other hand, are usually seen with one or two offspring, usually of different ages.
Once the Aardvark moves from a burrow, its home is utilised by either other mammals, reptiles or even birds. Another animal that benefits from the Aardvark is the Aardwolf, which will actually feed in the wake of the Aardvark. The Aardwolf does not have the digging capabilities of the Aardvark, so it waits for the Aardvark to do the digging and once the Aardvark moves on the Aardwolf will feed at the same spot.
The Aardvark has not been studied extensively because of its shy nature and remains mysterious to humans. Your best chances of seeing one of these mysterious creatures is an early morning or night game drive and even then your chances are slim. Savour the moment if you do see an Aardvark, as your chances of seeing two in one lifetime are extremely rare.
Fancy your chances of seeing an Aardvark during your next Kruger National Park safari?
Book your Kruger tour with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do aardvarks eat?
Aardvarks eat mainly ants in the dry season and termites in the wet season, foraging in a zigzag across the veld to smell out columns of termites. They drink water when it is around but do not depend on it, getting enough moisture from their food.
How big is an aardvark?
An aardvark is generally the size of a small pig, measuring 100 to 140 cm from head to rump, plus a tail of about 50 cm. Its tongue can be up to 30 cm long, and its muscular front legs have long nails designed for digging.
How deep are aardvark burrows?
Some aardvark burrows are up to 6 m below ground and have as many as 8 entrances. They are just wide enough for the aardvark, so predators such as lions and hyenas cannot fit inside, and once it moves on, other mammals, reptiles or birds use the burrow.
What is the best time to see an aardvark in Kruger?
An early morning or night game drive gives the best chance of seeing an aardvark, but even then the odds are slim. Aardvarks usually return to their burrows before dawn, and seeing two in one lifetime is extremely rare.
Do aardvarks have teeth?
Yes, but only 20 tubular teeth at the back of the jaw, and these never stop growing. Aardvarks swallow termites whole, and digestive enzymes in their saliva help with digestion.
Add Kurt Safari as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)
