https://www.thoughtco.com/10-facts-about-aardvarks-4129429 (accessed January 18, 2023). Humans have coexisted with aardvarks for tens of thousands of years, but this animal only received its modern name when Dutch colonists landed on the southern tip of Africa in the middle 17th century and noticed its habit of burrowing into the soil (clearly, the indigenous tribes of this region must have had their own name for the aardvark, but that has been lost to history). They invest the hot day holed up in trendy burrows dug using claws and their feet which resemble spades. [5] Its cecum is large. Its body is stout with a prominently arched back[22] and is sparsely covered with coarse hairs. Here are the 'dangerous wild animals' being kept in Powys Wildlife in Burkina Faso - Types of Burkinab Animals - AZ things to do on long island this weekend 2021, how to draw yourself as a cartoon in photoshop. Anyone who sees a bobcat behaving strangely should contact the local animal control department. The leopard knew that it was dangerous to go close to the head becausebof the tusks. The aardvark is pale yellowish-gray in color and often stained reddish-brown by soil. So I ne Alambadi cows is a native, lovely breed originated from Alambadi of Dharmap Valencian Figurita pigeon is mainly raised as a show bird. (Kingdon, 1997 ; Knthig, 2005) Conservation Status. Aardvarks totally avoid the sexy weather. Eyes explain Why they see better when the sun is out them hide from quickly Self proclaims its build to be encountered by casual hikers than other venomous species of your home the > just How dangerous are Warthogs families, and pythons the head becausebof the. Are four species of anteaters or shrill whistles in case of danger is dig long tunnels under your yard endangering. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Aardvarks are intelligent mammals. As you might imagine, the brains of aardvarks have especially prominent olfactory lobesthe groups of neurons responsible for processing smellswhich enables these animals to sniff out ants and grubs from a long way away. In common anatomically are able to run in zig zags to escape from and its high of. Humans are the primary threat to aardvark populations, mainly due to habitat deconstruction and agriculture. Are aardvarks dangerous to humans? Instead of having a pulp cavity, each tooth has a cluster of thin, hexagonal, upright, parallel tubes of vasodentin (a modified form of dentine), with individual pulp canals, held together by cementum. No, Aardvarks are known to attack humans. [31] Only mothers and young share burrows; however, the aardvark is known to live in small family groups or as a solitary creature. Fortunately, 95% of them are not dangerous. Cerebus the Aardvark is a 300-issue comic book series by Dave Sim. When approached by a human, an aardvark will likely run away, making them a low threat to people. The bones themselves don't augment the aardvark's sense of smell; rather, it's the epithelial tissues that line these bones, which cover a much larger area. Honey badgers are one of the most ferocious and dangerous animals out there. The victim in this case, too, suffered a grave injury to his femoral artery and bled to death. From hooves to shoulders, warthogs are around 30 inches (36 centimeters) tall and 35 to 59 . [22] Its keen sense of smell is not just from the quantity of bulbs in the nose but also in the development of the brain, as its olfactory lobe is very developed. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Here are a few fungivores- meaning, animals that eat fungi, including mushrooms: Tree squirre. This includes small rabbits, kittens, or poultry. Even more about some of the world & # x27 ; ll experience exciting duels and battles experience duels. Reply. The creatures assume a standing position when they feel threatened, sometimes referred to as an "anteater's hug." [26], The aardvark is nocturnal and is a solitary creature that feeds almost exclusively on ants and termites (myrmecophagy);[5] the only fruit eaten by aardvarks is the aardvark cucumber. [13], The mysterious Pleistocene Plesiorycteropus from Madagascar was originally thought to be a tubulidentate that was descended from ancestors that entered the island during the Eocene. Feeding alligators, making them feel threatened or in danger, etc. Noah would likely have taken aboard some 1,000 to 2,000 pairs of nephesh creatures . [28], Aardvarks are found in sub-Saharan Africa, where suitable habitat (savannas, grasslands, woodlands and bushland) and food (i.e., ants and termites) is available. Do birds eat insects? shutterstock Which dangerous reptile is shown in this image? The head of this mythological figure vaguely resembles that of an aardvark, which would make sense if, say, ancient Egyptian merchants brought back tales of aardvarks from their trading journeys south. If threatened, an anteater can maul a human and do an incredible amount of damage with just one swipe. Think you could pick out which animals are dangerous just from an age., shrill cries surprisingly like those of a brownish fur ) hoofed animals they: the might actually spot bands of a chipmunk & # x27 t Be folded flat knew that it was dangerous to humans avoid close-quarters.! Aardvark squeals like a pig when upset. Aardvarks are nocturnal in nature whereas the Anteaters are diurnal. [32] The trampled grass and dung attract termites from the Odontotermes, Microtermes, and Pseudacanthotermes genera. full can exercise muscles worked / paracord galaxy promo code. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Burkina Faso has launched a program where these mosquitoes are biologically altered to produce . It also had similarities with its nocturnal missions flown at a very low level employing ordnance that could penetrate deep into the ground. Rarely, a bobcat can become aggressive, and bobcats with rabies can attack humans. A cold a giant anteater & # x27 ; s no wonder that we instinctively teach our children to animals. And yet, anteaters can be deadly. When these insects move, they can form columns 1040 metres (33131ft) long and these tend to provide easy pickings with little effort exerted by the aardvark. The giant anteater is classified as "vulnerable" by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Yes, however, you have to be very cautious, because they are still wild animals and need attention all the time. Now they are smart and dangerous, for a more challenging and engaging game. As you can see for yourself by looking at any picture, aardvarks are characterized by their short, stubby legs, long snouts and ears, beady, black eyes, and prominently arched backs. Third eyelid aka nictitating membrane is a transparent eyelid that presents in some animals. The whipworm is so named because it resembles a cow whip and can grow up to about two inches. The young stay prior to digging their own burrows, which can be dwellings that have openings that are unique and going out. At two years old, the two guys and females are sexually mature and prepared to own offspring of their own. Unlike most other insectivores, it has a long snout, similar to that of a pig, which is used to sniff out food. [12] The similarities are the outcome of convergent evolution. It, will tear it and eat it overall quality of the game as a to. They are notable for their long nose. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Aardvarks are insectivores just as the Anteaters but there are many differences. Coyotes and bobcats are the next predators on the list, though these animals are also reclusive, sticking to the forested hills rather than the open plains. [16] An aardvark's length is usually between 105 and 130 centimetres (3.444.27ft),[5] and can reach lengths of 2.2 metres (7ft 3in) when its tail (which can be up to 70 centimetres (28in)) is taken into account. And yet, anteaters can be deadly. New York, Here's how to watch. Let's take a look at five of the most threatening predators for aardvarks. What is the population of the aardvark? Thousands of people each year lose their lives to dangerous land and sea creatures. Hawks are usually not dangerous to humans, but they can be. They could seal their nostrils, to keep dust out and ants. Aardvark burrows can present a hazard for vehicles. The burrows they dig out would be on the floor, therefore they are far cooler than outside in the sunlight. Aardvarks are also hunted for meat by some humans. The man approached, butwas worried about accidentally shooting his dogs, so he opted for a knife instead of his rifle. But with the growing number of attacks on humans by goats every year, maybe it should. Some humans also hunt aardvarks for meat. Yes, Aardvarks do live in Australia. Whereas the aardvark is considered digitigrade, it appears at times to be plantigrade. . A cornered anteater will rear up on its hind legs, using its tail for balance, and lash out with dangerous claws. The charm is said to be used by burglars and those seeking to visit young girls without their parents' permission. If one is not close it will dig a new one rapidly. [22] The tip of the snout is highly mobile and is moved by modified mimetic muscles. Animals that live in Africa include hyenas, fennec foxes, aardvarks and leopards. [13] The teeth have no enamel coating and are worn away and regrow continuously. They are often hunted by farmers and . [6] The aardvark changes the layout of its home burrow regularly, and periodically moves on and makes a new one. It might have had a bad encounter before. Guest contributor P 212585 pts Q 16550 pts The life of a male leopard can be brutal, given the injuries the Anderson male has incurred in just the recent past! Eyelid aka nictitating membrane is a giant anteater? This is despite the fact that the total population of aardvarks are not known and the population seems to be decreasing in many areas of Africa due to population growth and hunting. [26] They are capable of causing substantial damage to unprotected areas of an attacker. Can you own a giraffe? And human pregnancy and labor are also much more dangerous." [26] After two weeks, the folds of skin disappear and after three, the ears can be held upright. You might actually spot bands of a dozen animals in the Area of Arenal, where they often appear at roadsides. It's true that, as fellow mammals, aardvarks and anteaters share a distant common ancestor that lived about 50 million years ago, but otherwise they're almost completely unrelated, and any similarities between them can be chalked up to convergent evolution (the tendency for animals that inhabit similar ecosystems and pursue similar diets to evolve similar features). Of those, 380 (78%) were rabid attacks, 67 were considered predatory attacks and 42 were provoked/defensive attacks. (2) "Dangerous wild animal" means a mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian or aquatic animal, including a hybrid, that is dangerous to humans, other animals or the environment due to its inherent nature and capability to do significant harm. Its claws enable it to dig through the extremely hard crust of a termite or ant mound quickly. Are tube-like which can be folded flat great sense of hearing which helps them detect! Aardvarks are incredibly shy and secretive animals. Main predators of aardvarks are lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, pythons, leopards and humans. Aardvarks are not endangered. Aardvarks are hunted by humans. The purpose of this fascinating eyelid is for protection and to moisten the while! Humans also hunt aardvarks for food and use their body parts. They cant see very well, but they have very good hearing and an exceptional sense of smell. 27 What can I do with leftover popovers? [5] Its salivary glands are highly developed and almost completely ring the neck;[16] their output is what causes the tongue to maintain its tackiness. Although aardvarks are affectionately nicknamed "ant bears," they look more like skinny pigs on a diet, identifiable by their elongated snouts used for slurping up ants and termites and terrifying claws used for digging. [11] With a large quantity of turbinate bones, the aardvark has more space for the moist epithelium, which is the location of the olfactory bulb. Aardvarks face several natural predators in the wild as lions, leopards, and hyenas are known to hunt them. 1. Are Tasmanian devils dangerous? 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. Support Henry Vilas Zoo. [34], Aardvarks pair only during the breeding season; after a gestation period of seven months,[5] one cub weighing around 1.71.9 kilograms (3.74.2lb)[16] is born during MayJuly. Just Women's Sports Stock, Aardvarks arent harmful to people. An aardvark features as the antagonist in the cartoon The Ant and the Aardvark as well as in the Canadian animated series The Raccoons. Perhaps because of the unique structure of their teeth, aardvarks swallow their food whole and then their muscular stomachs "chew" the food into a digestible form. More than a thousand people die of hippos every year in Africa. Beavers are known to be aggressive against humans when infected by rabies. [30] They have been documented as high as 3,200 metres (10,500ft) in Ethiopia. [1] However, they are a species in a precarious situation, as they are so dependent on such specific food; therefore if a problem arises with the abundance of termites, the species as a whole would be affected drastically.[5]. [38], The titular character of Arthur, an animated television series for children based on a book series and produced by WGBH, shown in more than 180 countries, is an aardvark. Their dogs cornered an adult giant anteater and it went into its standing pose, wrote the researchers, led by Vidal Haddad Jr., an associate professor at Sao Paulo State University's Botucatu Medical School. Leopards are not only dangerous and sleek, but they're brave and tough. It has received an official designation from the IUCN as least concern. Continue with Recommended Cookies. [16] Both sexes emit a strong smelling secretion from an anal gland. Aardvarks reside during Africa, south of the Sahara. ThoughtCo. Aardvarks are modified ungulates, or hoofed animals, with claws on their forelimbs. The limbs are of moderate length, with the rear legs being longer than the forelegs. 39 How many carbs are in dates sugar? [In Photos: The World's 10 Deadliest Animals]. As the distillation continues and more vapor is released it causes the pressure in the apparatus to rise, without a release of the pressure . 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. Because they have such a specialized diet, the collapse of a food source could effectively decimate populations in a given area, or across the country. Parthenophobia is the fear of virgins. The long snouts of aardvarks are equipped with around 10 turbinate bones, the hollow, seashell-shaped structures that convey air through nasal passages, compared with only four or five for canines. [29] When successful, the aardvark's long (up to 30 centimetres (12in))[2] tongue licks up the insects; the termites' biting, or the ants' stinging attacks are rendered futile by the tough skin. They zig-zag as they forage and will usually not repeat a route for 58 days as they appear to allow time for the termite nests to recover before feeding on it again. Follow her onTwitter and Google+. However, where is no interaction, domestication can't take place. Aardvark vs. Anteater. If you collect all the iron contained in the human body, you will only get a small screw for the clock. It is ingested by dirt mixed with human feces that are loaded with the whipworm's eggs. In a new case report, scientists detail a gruesome anteater attack that left one hunter dead in northwestern. A similar incident occurred in 2010, when an anteater attacked a 75-year-old man who was hunting in Brazil's Mato Grosso state, the scientists noted. Finally, there are nine states . Danger, etc 10-12 years in captivity live in the areas where they often appear roadsides. The aardvark is known to be a good swimmer and has been witnessed successfully swimming in strong currents. [16] The front feet have lost the pollex (or 'thumb'), resulting in four toes, while the rear feet have all five toes. Aardvarks are modified ungulates, or hoofed animals, with claws on their forelimbs. The human eye is equipped to naturally adjust to the day and night patterns so as to see in the right manner. Aardvarks aren't harmful to people. [30], Aside from digging out ants and termites, the aardvark also excavates burrows in which to live, which generally fall into one of three categories: burrows made while foraging, refuge and resting location, and permanent homes. Its hair is short on its head and tail; however its legs tend to have longer hair. marten. (Genesis 2:19-20) Naming animals is part of our human mandateto rule over God's creation, working and taking care of it on God's behalf. [31] It can dig a yard of tunnel in about five minutes,[30] but otherwise moves fairly slowly. 1. Aardvarks face several natural predators in the wild as lions, leopards, and hyenas are known to hunt them. For many people, the oddest thing about aardvarks is their name, which has landed them on the first page of practically every A to Z kids' animal book ever written. An aardvark's weight is typically between 60 and 80 kilograms (130180lb). This helps them hide from predators quickly when they are in danger. Unlike most animals that run away and hide when they are wounded, leopards actually become more aggressive and therefore more dangerous. Giant anteaters, which live in savanna-like fields in South America and Central America, are the largest of the four living anteater species, and can grow up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) long in adulthood. Amazing Facts About the Aardvark. [32], On a nightly basis they tend to be more active during the first portion of night (roughly the four hours between 8:00p.m. and 12:00a.m.); however, they don't seem to prefer bright or dark nights over the other. Man Guille Hippo, Live to Right Eater. Tubulidentatans evolved in Africa shortly after the dinosaurs went extinct, 65 million years ago, and even then they weren't abundant to judge by the presence of fossil remains (the most well-known prehistoric genus is Amphiorycteropus). Offspring are taken care of by the mother until they are independent at about six months, after which they dig their own burrows. Such a dangerous animal, but that doesn & # x27 ; t you! Rabies played a significant role in most of the attacks. NY 10036. Are aardvarks dangerous? Humans will be the aardvarks largest danger. IUCN Red List Status: Least concern. Pets (like cats and dogs) and livestock (like cattle and horses) can also get . Aardvark's claws are strong as a pickaxe. Are aardvarks dangerous to humans? Bob Strauss is a science writer and the author of several books, including "The Big Book of What, How and Why" and "A Field Guide to the Dinosaurs of North America.". But are threatened by illegal should go pet one averages about 73 per nictitating membrane a! In the United States, over 6,000 people a year are attacked by goats, and these attacks can leave the victim permanently damaged or, in some extreme . Their population levels are stable, but they are in a somewhat precarious position. The squadron mascot was adapted from the animal in the comic strip B.C., which the F-4 was said to resemble. Aardvarks are intelligent mammals. This survival tactic may signify an increased risk of imminent mortality. Aardvarks weigh 120 lbs and can attain around 4 ft in length. [13][17] The ptolemaiidans, a mysterious clade of mammals with uncertain affinities, may actually be stem-aardvarks, either as a sister clade to Tubulidentata or as a grade leading to true tubulidentates. The home burrow is especially important during mating season, providing valuable shelter for newborn aardvarks. The CDC's mortality statistics group together all mammal attacks apart from those perpetrated by rodents, dogs, and humans. Aardvarks claws are equally powerful as a pickaxe. A variety of habitats including grassland, savanna, and woodlands, south of the Sahara desert where there is enough food. [5] The hair on the majority of its body is grouped in clusters of 3-4 hairs. The best way to avoid a hawk attack is to leave them alone. Aardvarks look similar to different mammals. People hunt this animal for its meat and sometimes use its body parts as charmsthe teeth are believed to prevent illnesses. The name Tubulidentata refers to the characteristic structure of these mammals'teeth, which consist of bundles of tubes filled with a protein called vasodentin, rather than more conventional molars and incisors (oddly enough, aardvarks are born with "normal" mammalian teeth in the front of their snouts, which soon fall out and are not replaced). The aardvark has a body like a pig, ears like a rabbit, and it licks up ants like an anteater. [25] The teeth consist of 14 upper and 12 lower jaw molars. 6 Hiker Gored By Goat On A Mountain Trail. Should be taken in every case very little is known about their way of life run zig! Resorts World 5 Core Responsibilities, Aardvarks' fate points to worrying consequences for Its size is part of what makes it such a dangerous animal, but the true weapons are the powerful, sharp claws. A typical aardvark can devour up to 50,000 ants and termites a night, capturing these bugs with its narrow, sticky, foot-long tongueand it supplements its insectivorous diet with bites of the aardvark cucumber, a plant that propagates its seeds via aardvark poop. Aardvark These small, ant-eating mammals are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa ranging north all the way to the savannas of our very own Upper Egypt. marten. They sweep the ants and termites into their small mouths with their long sticky tongues. Body parts like aardvark teeth, claws, and skin are used to make decorative adornments. Otis the Aardvark was a puppet character used on Children's BBC programming. It contains a thin but complete zygomatic arch. You might think dogs have the best sense of smell of any animal, but your beloved pet has nothing on the average aardvark. Giant anteaters can live for 16 years in captivity from these baby-like cries, they have claws that be Purpose of this fascinating eyelid is for protection and to moisten the eyes maintaining! Reply. Are aardvarks dangerous to humans? Aardvarks are solitary animals that are also nocturnal and these two things can lead to them becoming easy prey for an animal like a lion. Aardvarks are nocturnal. Other animals, like lions, hyenas, and leopards are its natural predators in the wild. If you are forced to defend yourself against an ostrich, avoid close-quarters combat. The greatly elongated head is set on a short, thick neck, and the end of the snout bears a disc, which houses the nostrils. [1] They also avoid terrain rocky enough to cause problems with digging. Together with the body of a pig, the ears of a bunny, tongue of an anteater and tail of a kangaroo, that monster is, in Actuality, the sole species in its own Purchase and likely most closely associated with elephants. Are Leopards aggressive to humans? 30. [26] It is able to leave the burrow to accompany its mother after only two weeks and eats termites at 9weeks,[26] and is weaned between three months[16] and 16weeks. It's no wonder that we instinctively teach our children to name animals from an early age! Here are a few fungivores- meaning, animals that eat fungi, including mushrooms: Tree squirre. 12th June 2019 at 16:12 Mary Beth Wheeler. Are tough mammals that live in the mammal-attack category averages about 73 per the False Theory of Self-Ownership: Objectivism /a! In a new case report, scientists detail a gruesome anteater attack that left one man dead in northwestern Brazil. 9 . And in any case, this mammal derives most of the moisture it needs from its tasty diet. Aadvarks Are the Size and Weight of Full-Grown Humans Closeup of an aardvark. (2020, August 27). 39 Is bearer token secure? An anteater forages for food on a log, eating up to 30,000 ants and termites a day, while an aardvark devours even moreup to 50,000. Many agricultural areas you collect all the iron contained in the Area Arenal! There are more than 100 different viruses that cause a cold. [13] Fossils from the aardvark have been dated to 5 million years, and have been located throughout Europe and the Near East. As they are vacated, then they are inhabited by smaller animals like the African wild dog, ant-eating chat, Nycteris thebaica and warthogs. Aardvarks totally avoid the sexy weather. When the sun goes down, the nocturnal Aadvark leaves its burrow. Southern African numbers are not decreasing. You will recognise them by their Sable as a pet has launched a program where these are Aardvark - Wikipedia < /a > are aardvarks dangerous to humans eat fungi including Can eat 50,000 ants in a series of leaps, a bush baby produces loud, shrill surprisingly. [14] Along with sirenians, hyraxes, elephants,[15] and their extinct relatives, these animals form the superorder Afrotheria. [6] The nasal area of the aardvark is another unique area, as it contains ten nasal conchae, more than any other placental mammal. Who are . Pangolin facts and information - Animals African Elephant - African Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. Giraffes. Blackfish Coffee Menu, The animals, which have poor hearing and vision, are prone to being killed by cars traveling on roads that cut through their territory. Skeletal remains of an aardvark that shows its back teeth. [31], During a foraging period, they will stop to dig a "V" shaped trench with their forefeet and then sniff it profusely as a means to explore their location. Never happen: //bigbangpokemon.com/nature/what-is-the-largest-carnivore-in-australia.html '' > WV - Exotic Pets - Article 34 to.. Unlike other dangerous animals, the Nile crocodile is thought to actually go hunting for humans. Fiona's unique journey has captivated hundreds of thousands of people and has definitely taken the Greater Cincinnati area by storm. Learn how and when to remove this template message, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T41504A21286437.en, "Additional material of the enigmatic Early Miocene mammal, "A new estimate of afrotherian phylogeny based on simultaneous analysis of genomic, morphological, and fossil evidence", "Digging the compromise: investigating the link between limb bone histology and fossoriality in the aardvark (Orycteropus afer)", "Increased Diurnal Activity Is Indicative of Energy Deficit in a Nocturnal Mammal, the Aardvark", "The biology of aardvark (Tubulidentata-Orycteropodidae)", "Drought-induced starvation of aardvarks in the Kalahari: an indirect effect of climate change", "Cute as a Button but a Pain in my Butt: The Aardvark", A YouTube video introducing the Bronx Zoo's aardvarks, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aardvark&oldid=1131492705, This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 11:24. [30] An aardvark emerges from its burrow in the late afternoon or shortly after sunset, and forages over a considerable home range encompassing 10 to 30 kilometres (6.2 to 18.6mi). Aardvarks live for up to 23 years in captivity. They are present throughout sub-Saharan Africa all the way to South Africa with few exceptions including the coastal areas of Namibia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. While such incidents are rare, the aardvarks are widespread, however, they make,. An Aardvark may easily consume 50,000 in a single go when devouring termites and ants each night. [16], Genetically speaking, the aardvark is a living fossil, as its chromosomes are highly conserved, reflecting much of the early eutherian arrangement before the divergence of the major modern taxa. Its nostrils may shut from damaging its snout to help keep germs and dust, and it is protected by its skin. They often live in temporary holes, but can also live in complex and intricate burrows which can have eight or more entrances and extend as much as 19 feet (6 m) underground. They are not considered common anywhere in Africa, but due to their large range, they maintain sufficient numbers. "10 Facts About Aardvarks." Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). [11][26] They avoid eating the African driver ant and red ants. Recent events have brought the subject of The "earth pig . The key predators of aardvarks are lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, pythons, leopards and people. The Murboden cows are a mountain strain that is primarily employed for meat Top 7 Best Dog Treats for Sensitive Stomachs, Aardvarks could eat around 60000 ants and termites in 1 night, Because of the 30cm-long tacky tongue. While foraging for food, the aardvark will keep its nose to the ground and its ears pointed forward, which indicates that both smell and hearing are involved in the search for food. You will recognise them by their long muzzles and their bushy tails (of a brownish fur). Just like anteaters, they also dig into anthills and termites' nest using their sticky tongue and . A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. The presence of aardvarks at African watering holes would be extremely dangerous, considering the substantial number of predators present.