Everything about The Aardvark totally explained
The
Aardvark (
Orycteropus afer) ("Digging foot") is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal
mammal native to
Africa.
It is sometimes called "antbear", "anteater", "Cape anteater" (after the
Cape of Good Hope), "earth hog" or "earth pig". The name comes from the
Afrikaans/
Dutch for "earth pig" (
aarde earth,
varken pig), because early settlers from
Europe thought it resembled a domesticated
pig. However, the aardvark isn't closely related to the pig; rather, it's the sole recent representative of the obscure mammalian
order Tubulidentata, in which it's usually considered to form a single variable species of the genus
Orycteropus, coextensive with the family
Orycteropodidae. Nor is the aardvark closely related to the
South American
anteater, despite sharing some characteristics and a superficial resemblance.
The aardvark is vaguely pig-like. Its body is stout with an arched back and is sparsely covered with coarse hairs. The limbs are of moderate length. The front feet have lost the pollex (or 'thumb') — resulting in four toes — but the rear feet have all five toes. Each toe bears a large, robust nail which is somewhat flattened and shovel-like, and appears to be intermediate between a claw and a hoof. The ears are disproportionately long, and the tail is very thick at the base and gradually tapers. The greatly elongated head is set on a short, thick neck, and the end of the snout bears a disc, which houses the nostrils. The mouth is small and tubular, typical of species that feed on termites. The aardvark has a long, thin, snakelike, protruding tongue and elaborate structures supporting a keen
sense of smell.
An aardvark's weight is typically between 40 and 65 kg. An aardvark's length is usually between 1 and 1.3 meters, and can reach lengths of 2.2 meters when its tail (which can be up to 70 centimeters) The aardvark changes the layout of its home burrow regularly, and from time to time moves on and makes a new one; the old burrows are then inhabited by smaller animals like the
African Wild Dog.
Mythology
In African folklore the aardvark is much admired because of its diligent quest for food and its fearless response to soldier ants.
Hausa magicians make a charm from the heart, skin, forehead, and nails of the aardvark, which they then proceed to pound together with the root of a certain tree. Wrapped in a piece of skin and worn on the chest the charm is said to give the owner the ability to pass through walls or roofs at night. The charm is said to be used by burglars and those seeking to visit young girls without their parents' permission.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Aardvark'.
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