Orycteropus afer

Length: 100-158 cm

Height: 55-66 cm

Tail: 44-63 cm

Weight: 40 -82 kg

Status: not endangered but has been exterminated from agricultural lands

Habitat: Aardvarks are found wherever there is a yearlong abundance of ants, termites and beetle larvae.

Role: Insectivore

Food: Aardvarks eat termites, ants and larvae. Usually the animal eats species that live close to, or on the surface of, the ground. The aardvark, with its large, powerful claws, can dig up termite colonies that are further below the ground. The extent of damage that the animal does to the colony is limited if there are many soldiers to defend it. Termites are the preferred prey but where ants are more abundant they will be eaten.

Predators: Lions and spotted hyenas may pose a threat but an adult aardvark has strong claws and can put up a defense.