Across Africa, a shy mammal emerges after sunset to search for food. It has a long snout, large ears, a strong body and powerful claws. Although its appearance may remind people of a pig or an anteater, the aardvark is a unique animal with its own place in the natural world.

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most interesting nocturnal mammals. Its name comes from an Afrikaans word meaning “earth pig”, a reference to its pig-like appearance and its habit of digging. It is found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, including grasslands, savannas, woodlands and some forest habitats where food and suitable soil are available.

What Does an Aardvark Look Like?

An aardvark has a sturdy, arched body, a long tubular snout, large upright ears and a thick tail. Its skin is usually greyish or pinkish-brown, and its body has relatively little hair. Its most useful physical features are its strong front legs and large, shovel-shaped claws.

Those claws help the animal break into termite mounds and ant nests, as well as dig underground burrows. Its long snout and excellent sense of smell help it locate insects, while its long, sticky tongue gathers them up. The tongue can reach about 30 centimetres in length.

Despite its unusual appearance, the aardvark is not closely related to the South American anteater. It belongs to a distinct mammalian group and shares a broader evolutionary family with animals such as elephants.

Where Do Aardvarks Live?

Aardvarks live in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They favour places with plenty of ants and termites and soil that is soft enough to dig. They can be found in open grasslands and savannas, as well as woodlands and other habitats.

They spend much of the daylight hours resting inside underground burrows. At night, they come out to forage, often travelling from one feeding area to another. Aardvarks are generally solitary, meaning they usually live and search for food alone rather than in groups.

Their large ears help them detect sounds in their surroundings. Their eyesight is relatively poor, so smell and hearing are especially important when they search for food and watch for danger.

What Do Aardvarks Eat?

The aardvark mainly feeds on ants and termites. It uses its powerful claws to open termite mounds or dig into underground insect nests. It then extends its sticky tongue to collect the insects.

It may consume large numbers of insects during a night of feeding. Its thick skin offers some protection from insect bites, and it can close its nostrils to help keep dirt and insects out while feeding.

By eating ants and termites, aardvarks form part of the natural balance of their habitats. Their feeding activity can also disturb soil and open up insect mounds, creating opportunities for other animals and natural processes.

Why Are Aardvark Burrows Important?

One of the most valuable contributions aardvarks make to their environment is their digging. They create underground burrows where they sleep, shelter and raise their young.

When an aardvark leaves a burrow, the empty space may later provide shelter for other wildlife. Animals such as porcupines, reptiles, hyenas and other mammals have been known to use abandoned aardvark burrows. These underground spaces can offer protection from heat, predators and difficult weather.

For this reason, aardvarks are sometimes described as ecosystem engineers: their activities change the environment in ways that can benefit other species.

Are Aardvarks Endangered?

The aardvark is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, but that does not mean it faces no threats. Habitat loss, hunting and changes in the availability of insects can affect local populations.

Agricultural expansion may reduce suitable places to dig, while pesticide use can lower the number of ants and termites available as food. Drought and changing environmental conditions may also make it harder for aardvarks to find enough insects.

Protecting natural habitats and using land responsibly can help wildlife, including aardvarks, continue to survive.

A Small Reminder of Nature’s Importance

The aardvark may not be as famous as the lion, elephant or giraffe, but it plays an important role in African ecosystems. Its remarkable digging skills, specialised diet and abandoned burrows support life beyond its own species.

Learning about animals such as the aardvark reminds us that every creature has a place in nature. Protecting wildlife means looking after not only the animals people readily recognise, but also the quieter species working underground after dark.

Utelnova Animal and Wildlife Series: Our journey through the animal kingdom begins with the letter A.