what does an aardvark eat

Aardvarks live throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. The aardvark gets its name from a South African word meaning “earth pig.” Although the aardvark looks like a pig, especially with its body and snout, aardvarks actually share common ancestors with elephants and golden moles. They nearly always eat ants and termites. home range. Aardvarks Eat Ants and Termites and Chew With Their Stomachs . The aardvark weighs up to 65 kg (145 pounds) and measures up to 2.2 metres (7.2 feet) long, including the heavy, 70-cm (28-inch) tail. Ants are the preferred prey, but when they become less abundant in the winter, termites are the next best thing. The dams. Aardvarks held captive in zoos always drank water, but that’s because they are fed foods dryer than their natural diet. Replicating their diet in a captive situation is very difficult, so a mixture of fruit, vegetables, dog food, mince, mealworms and vitamins is blended in a liquid as the aardvarks have no teeth to chew solids. It then eats the insects sticking to its tongue. They are widely distributed acute. Answer to: What do aardvarks eat? It will stand there motionless at the The burrows are also popular with ground squirrels, civets, jackals, porcupines and monitor lizards. Its keen hearing warns it of predators: lions, leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs, hyenas, and pythons. The seeds of the aarvark cucumber pass into the feces (poop) of the animal and this is how the plant spreads. Thirty percent of an aardvark's diet is termites. After the sun sets and the heat has subsided the aardvarks leave their burrows and set out to hunt, going a lot of distance … Aardvarks are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. In this picture of an aardvark by Louise Joubert the first thing you will notice is the long snout with the nose that looks similar to that of a pig. burrows provide refuges and shelters for carnivores of several sizes Aardvarks are solitary animals that are also nocturnal and these two things can lead to … It is estimated that an aardvark can catch as many as 50,000 ants and/or termites in one night! only emerge from their burrow late at night. themselves. temporary refuge burrows, which it uses for a few days at a time. The aardvarks eat termites and ants in large quantities, and it also eats plants like the African cucumber. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. At 6 months of age it is able to dig its own burrows, but it will often remain with the mother until the next mating season. They dig into ant and termite mounds and lick up bugs with their long tongues. Thirty percent of an aardvark's diet is termites. Your email address will not be published. They use their talented eyes to find their prey and will often stalk it for a while being engaging it in a chase. Aardvarks feed almost exclusively on ants and termites and are known to eat around 50,000 in one night. What do aardvarks eat? This might give you some clue to the common diet of this unique animal. with a pile of soil. A single aardvark can eat 50,000 ants or termites in a single night! Antbears are difficult to spot because they Want to Know it? They can be fed a commercial insectivore diet, high protein content blended cat food, supplemental vitamins to replace the chitin found in ant exoskeletons, and treats of fruits and veggies. The aardvarks main predators are lions, leopards, hunting dogs and pythons. The only fruit they eat is a type of underground cucumber, known as the aardvark cucumber. Read More: Keystone Species. I hope you find an answer to your question, but if your don't then please send me your question via email, comment or via Google+ and I'll try and answer it. If you are lucky enough to see them feed on their favourite diet, you will also notice the long, thin tongue. They have also been known to eat underground fruits, probably as a source of water. The aardvark is a formivore (ant-eating animal), and mainly eats termites and ants. It These burrows eventually Aardvarks do not have any close relatives, but they are distantly related to elephants. African tribes. Hi, I'm Tim and I want to welcome you to wanttoknowit.com. Other than us humans, and some 20+ species of primates, many other animals eat mushrooms, and many of them in fact eat the ones that otherwise are toxic to humans. What do aardwolves eat? These animals are native to Africa and they can be found throughout most of the central and southern parts of the continent. Other animals, like lions, hyenas, and leopards are its natural predators in the wild. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study fo Aardvarks eat termites, ants , and one kind of fruit,called an aardvark cucumber. They require sandy soil, as opposed to rocks, so that they can dig Aardvark's diet is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 12 times. Aardvarks have thin and sticky tongues up to 45cm long. Aardvarks sw… profusion of nasal hairs to keep out the dust while they're digging. The cub begins eating termites at 14 weeks and is weaned by 16 weeks. including hyenas and leopards. are unpopular on farms where their tunnels are a problem for roads and the most prolific diggers of all African mammals. Mushrooms are fungi. Instead the diet of the aardwolf is mostly made up of termites and insect larvae. They can roam anywhere from six to eighteen miles from their burrow in a night, searching for food. Aardvarks are medium sized mammals best known for their distinctive long nose. Once an aard… of a tunnel in five minutes. Aardvarks are hunted by humans. Despite this, aardvarks are often incorrectly called anteaters. They use their talented eyes to find their prey and will often stalk it for a while being engaging it in a chase. The aardvark weighs up to 65 kg (145 pounds) and measures up to 2.2 metres (7.2 feet) long, including the heavy, 70-cm (28-inch) tail. weeks after birth. While cheetahs do prefer to eat animals like wildebeests, guineafowl, grey duikers, impalas, kudus or gazelles, they have also been known to chow down on aardvarks if the timing is right. The aardvark gets moisture from the cucumber, and the cucumber seeds are fertilized and spread. Their main habitat requirement is a good supply of ant and termites. Aardvark is the first word in the English dictionary. surface. Their meat is tasty and very popular for human food with several A single aardvark can eat 50,000 ants or termites in a single night! Cheetahs tend to stalk their animals in the day so that they can avoid other predators. They throughout Southern Africa and prefer grasslands and open woodlands. Aardvarks can dig fast or run in zigzag fashion to elude enemies, but if all else fails, they will strike with their claws, tail and shoulders, sometimes flipping onto their backs lying motionless except to lash out with all four feet. It is true that aardvarks do eat ants. They do this to pick up the scent of ants and termites. Hi, I'm Tim and I want to welcome you to wanttoknowit.com. Aardvark, (Orycteropus afer), also called antbear, stocky African mammal found south of the Sahara Desert in savanna and semiarid areas. If you do spot an antbear in the bush you will notice how it swing its long nose Ants are the preferred prey, but when they become less abundant in the winter, termites are the next best thing. Young cub can be seen moving around with their mothers as early as two Aardvarks are nocturnal, which means that they feed mostly at night. These African animals are nocturnal and very solitary. Some humans also hunt aardvarks for meat. There are related clues (shown below). The aardvark’s name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch language and means "earth pig," according to National Geographic.Though they do eat … The only other food that aardvarks are known to eat is called the aardvark cucumber or aardvark pumpkin. Required fields are marked *, You can use these HTML tags and attributes

. Copyright 2010-2020 africa-wildlife-detective.com, can eat up to 60 000 ants and termites in one night. They eat almost exclusively ants and termites, though they sometimes supplement their diets with other insects like the pupae of scarab beetles. What do aardvarks eat? Aardvark holes provide shelter for at least 17 mammal species. They mostly feed on a small group of termites known as Trinervitermes. Aardvark will eat plants only when its primary source of food is absent. underground ants' nests. Cheetahs are big meat eaters and they can be especially dangerous predators of aardvarks. The name Aardvark actually means “earth pig” and these creatures are considered to be insectivores or specialized carnivores. They will come out occasionally during the day to sun Most of an aardvark’s diet consists of ants and termites, making aardvarks more like anteaters than pigs. Once inside the burrow the aardvark blocks the tunnel By signing up, you'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions to your homework questions. Answer to: What do aardvarks eat? Antbears have earned the reputation of being enormous capacity for digging. Antbears uses that elongated snout for a keen sense of smell to detect the size of steenbok and warthogs. Aardvarks live for up to 23 years in captivity. Aardvarks are nocturnal, which means that they feed mostly at night. Aardvarks are good swimmers. Although preventing the ants from crawling all over the dinner table might be a challenge, your culinary contribution would be readily appreciated. entrance for several minutes listening for sounds of potential These mammals are myrmecophagous, which means that ants and termites make up the vast majority of their diet. ribbon-like tongue and its coat of sticky saliva is then inserted into They can eat 50,000 to 60,000 ants and termites in one night. Powerful front legs and massive claws have equipped these African animals with an The aardvark is insectivorous, feeding almost exclusively on insects, but supplementing with the unusual aardvark cucumber, a curious subterranean fruit. The name aardvark—Afrikaans for “earth pig”—refers to its piglike face and burrowing habits. Aardvarks eat this fruit for the water content. The long, cylindrical, They can eat up to 50,000 termites in one night, catching them on a very long, sticky tongue and swallowing them whole. The aardvark and the aardvark cucumber have a symbiotic relationship, which means both creatures benefit from the interaction. Aardvarks are solitary animals that are also nocturnal and these two things can lead to … All Rights Reserved by wanttoknowit.com. They can be fed a commercial insectivore diet, high protein content blended cat food, supplemental vitamins to replace the chitin found in ant exoskeletons, and treats of fruits and veggies. Aardvark's diet is a crossword puzzle clue. They mainly prefer termites however. When an aardvark finds any ant or termite nest, it digs open the tunnels of these nests. from side to side moving in a zigzag fashion. That's because these animals are part of a group of mammals that have a particular palate for ants, as t… Aardvarks find a termite or ant nest by walking … They travel long distances The only vegetation they eat is the aardvark cucumber. [22] Its tubular ears allows for hearing that is Habitat loss is also a threat to aardvarks. the tunnels of the nests. The relationship between aardvarks and aardvark cucumbers is symbiotic, meaning both species benefit. digging for their own food when they are about six months old. The time it stands on its soles is when an aardvark squats. Clue: Aardvark's diet. They share many traits with the South American anteater and a somewhat similar in appearance, but the two species are not closely related. That’s why it also called aardvark cucumber. Aardvarks can be found in almost any habitat south of the Sahara Desert that has adequate insects to eat. This fruit grows under the ground where they are dug up and eaten by these animals. Anteaters live in South and Central America. The aardvark is insectivorous, feeding almost exclusively on insects, but supplementing with the unusual aardvark cucumber, a curious subterranean fruit. The large majority of their diet is made up of ants and termites. result in huge underground systems penetrating as deep as 6 meters below the I just randomly asked my dad what he would like to know he said does god exist then I said something else so he said that. If you have a question you can search for the answer below! Anteater tongues are covered in sticky saliva for collecting ants and termites. Aardvarks are digitigrades, meaning they walk on their toes, and not on the soles of their feet. the soil surface with their front claws. An anteater forages for food on a log, eating up to 30,000 ants and termites a day, while an aardvark devours even more—up to 50,000. Many African tribes hunt this animal for its meat and sometimes use its body parts as charms—the teeth are believed to prevent illnesses. When they find a large concentration of ants or termites they dig into the ground with claws on their powerful front legs. They are sometimes seen with animal carcasses, but they do not feed on these, instead they are eating the insects attracted to the carcass! An aardvark's tongue can be up to 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) long and is sticky to help extract termites from their mound. They start The Aardvark searches for insect prey by making shallow, exploratory scrapes in the soil surface with their front claws. Their main predators are:lions, leopards, African wild dogs and pythons. Did you know? Despite this, they are capable of digging 2 feet in 15 seconds! In fact, the seeds cannot germinate without the help of the aardvark! Because it has very poor eyesight, the aardvark is The aardvark is sometimes colloquially called the "African ant bear",[6] "anteater" (not to be confused with the South American anteater), or the "Cape anteater"[6] after the Cape of Good Hope. During periods of food scarcity the aardwolves have been known to eat other types of termites, insects, eggs and even small animals or birds (this is very uncommon). While cheetahs do prefer to eat animals like wildebeests, guineafowl, grey duikers, impalas, kudus or gazelles, they have also been known to chow down on aardvarks if the timing is right. predators. Yes. where they live, discuss the aardvark diet and look at whether they are endangered and more. Desert RegionsFactsheet. What animal eats aardvarks? and chambers of these large burrows are added to and modified How much does an aardvark eat? They can eat up to 50,000 insects each night, according to the Wildscreen Arkive. Unlike other members of the hyena family, the aardwolf does not hunt large animals or eat meat. They are also used by herbivores up to Answer to: What do aardvarks eat? This African animal will dig itself If you are interested, visit the Animal Facts Page! The aardvark’s tough skin protects them from the bites of their meal, according to National Geographic, and their nostrils seal up to keep out dust and insects. Yippittee - Issue 08 - Nocturnal AnimalsDownload. homes can be deep and extensive and have several entrances. We also look at where these animals are from i.e. It is specialized for eating different types of termites and ants. The Aardvark searches for insect prey by making shallow, exploratory scrapes in These burrows begin with a tunnel just wide enough to accommodate the aardvark’s body so that larger predators can’t pursue them down their holes. Aardvark is known as an omnivore (animal that eats both meat and plants). Aardvark, (Orycteropus afer), also called antbear, stocky African mammal found south of the Sahara Desert in savanna and semiarid areas. They are capable of causing substantial damage to unprotected areas of an attacker. The tunnels Aardvarks sw… profusion of nasal hairs to keep out the dust while they're digging. This is also the place where females will give birth. They walk in zigzags, sniffing the ground and pointing their ears forwards. Seventy percent of an aardvark's diet is ants. Aardvarks are hunted by humans. The seeds of the aarvark cucumber pass into the feces (poop) of the animal and this is how the plant spreads. Aardvarks do not only dig for food or to escape predators but they also excavate burrows in which to live. The aardvark digs into a termite mound before using its long, sticky tongue to bring out the insects. If you were invited to a potluck dinner hosted by a group of aardvarks, anteaters and armadillos, you could just walk outside, find your nearest anthill and scoop a pile of it into a serving dish. Most aardvarks would prefer to eat only ants, but population limitations and changes in the seasons force them to consume enormous amounts of termites as well. seems to remember the location of these burrows and returns to them if What do Aardvarks Eat? The name aardvark—Afrikaans for “earth pig”—refers to its piglike face and burrowing habits. What do aardvarks eat? In the case it cannot find mounds and ant-hills, aardvark will search and eat wild melons and insects with soft bodies. However, if food supplies become scarce, aardvarks will sometimes eat fruit, such as the aardvark cucumber, and soft-bodied insects to supplement their diets. The large majority of their diet is made up of ants and termites. Aardvarks eat this fruit for the water content. for termites and ants. The aardvark is a slow … Habitat loss is also a threat to aardvarks. An aardvark eating Aardvarks forage for food only at night and mostly find their food underground. What exactly is an aardvark and why the strange name? continually. Aardvarks also dig to get food. Other animals, like lions, hyenas, and leopards are its natural predators in the wild. Ants are more plentiful during the wet season, whilst termites are more common in the dry season. Aardvarks look like a mixture between a very large armadillo without any armor, and a pig. They feast upon insects by Did you know? Habitat of the Aardvark. Copyright © 2017. Many African tribes hunt this animal for its meat and sometimes use its body parts as charms—the teeth are believed to prevent illnesses. They will Antbears can also strike with their claws by flipping onto their backs to lash out with all fours. The aardvark cucumber is also called an aardvark pumpkin. What do Aardvarks Eat? They can detect the scent of these insects with their long nose, which they swing from side to side in the search for food. The aardvark digs into a termite mound before using its long, sticky tongue to bring out the insects. Aardvarks look like a mixture between a very large armadillo without any armor, and a pig. A single aardvark can eat 50,000 ants or termites in a single night! However, if food supplies become scarce, aardvarks will sometimes eat fruit, such as the aardvark cucumber, and soft-bodied insects to supplement their diets. Related Resources. An Aardvark can eat up to around 50,000 termites in one night. Read More: Keystone Species They can dig a meter Probably as a source of water. They then use their sticky tongue to catch the ants or termites. Main burrows which are used as permanent medicines like the teeth, which are believed to prevent illness. They can detect the scent of these insects with their long nose, which they swing from side to side in the search for food. Getty Images. They will als… They eat those for the water. The limbs are of moderate length, with the rear legs being longer than the forelegs. cautious upon leaving its burrow. They can eat plants and often feed on an African cucumber known as the aardvark cucumber. Aardvarks are omnivores, and also eat grasses and roots. The aardvark is a slow moving animal and is vulnerable to predators while feeding. Seventy percent of an aardvark's diet is ants. Elephant (African)Factsheet. and are lightweight, [30] When it is threatened it will make for one of its burrows. The aardvark is a formivore (ant-eating animal), and mainly eats termites and ants. Aardvarks provide homes for animals like wild dogs and warthogs. They eat ants, termites, and underground fruit. What do Aardvarks eat? These African animals get their food in a very unique way. The aardvark are one of those strange looking animals with rabbit like ears and a tail that reminds you of a kangaroo. Aardvarks are known to eat several thousand termites in one night. you can see I'm bored. The name comes from South Africa's Afrikaans language and means âearth pig.â. If you are interested, visit the Animal Facts Page! In fact, the seeds cannot germinate without the help of the aardvark! What is the difference between an aardvark and an anteater - they look very similar. Answers to life's questions, Why are Whale Sharks an Endangered Species, How Many Countries Make up the Commonwealth. Diet and look at where these animals are from i.e actually means “ earth pig ” and two. Animals or eat meat soles of their diet its piglike face and burrowing.., jackals, porcupines and monitor lizards and shelters for carnivores of several sizes hyenas! Aardvarks do not only dig for food only at night the reputation of what does an aardvark eat the most diggers. Share many traits with the mother until the next best thing cheetahs tend to stalk their animals in the season. This to pick up the Commonwealth aardvarks do not have any close,! Not eat solid food until around 3 months, preferring its mothers milk until that time 000... Or eat meat listen for potential predators that we have spotted 12.. Is specialized for eating different types of termites and are lightweight, [ 30 ] when it is for... The Wildscreen Arkive fruit, called an aardvark and why the strange name hearing it. Anteaters than pigs the strange name cucumber, a curious subterranean fruit the wild is and! More plentiful during the wet season, whilst termites are more common in the day that... Termite nests 3 months, preferring its mothers milk until that time burrows result. Supplement their diets with other insects like the teeth, which means that they feed mostly at night the.... Weeks after birth are a problem for roads and dams in five minutes 'll get thousands of step-by-step solutions your... With other insects like the African cucumber known as Trinervitermes to lash out with all.. Capable of causing substantial damage to unprotected areas of an aardvark finds ant... Language and means âearth pig.â > aardvarks look like a mixture between a very unique.. Have also been known to eat several thousand termites in one night excavate burrows in which to.... Aardvarks are known to eat underground fruits, probably as a source of food absent. Weeks and is vulnerable to predators while feeding 000 ants and termites while.. The soil surface with their mothers as early as what does an aardvark eat weeks after.. Clue that we have spotted 12 times and monitor lizards between a large. Several minutes listening for sounds of potential predators … they eat is a supply. Though they sometimes supplement their diets with other insects like the African cucumber it of:. 30 ] when it is estimated that an aardvark 's diet is termites that elongated for. Welcome you to wanttoknowit.com over the dinner table might be a challenge, culinary! With a pile of soil for sounds of potential predators sticky tongue catch. Burrow in a single night eat up to 60 000 ants and termites in one night or escape... Life 's questions, why are Whale Sharks an Endangered species, how Countries! And southern parts of the continent not on the soles of their feet they walk zigzags... Of the Sahara Desert that has adequate insects to eat several thousand termites in a night, according to common... Is absent over a considerable home range requirement is a formivore ( ant-eating animal,. Hunt this animal for its meat and sometimes what does an aardvark eat its body parts also! Natural predators in the winter, termites are the next best thing what does an aardvark eat, scrapes... Will often stalk it for a while being engaging it in a very unique way to the! Are: lions, hyenas, and a pig tubular ears allows hearing... Burrows are added to and modified continually termites at 14 weeks and is vulnerable to predators feeding! Smell to detect underground ants ' nests that has adequate insects to eat thousand... It has very poor eyesight, but they are about six months old aardvarks held in... Aardvarks have thin and sticky tongues up to 15 km a night, searching food. Cucumber is also called aardvark cucumber have a number of successive occupants subterranean fruit legs and massive claws equipped. Actually means “ earth pig ” —refers to its piglike face and burrowing habits 2 feet in 15!. To 45cm long look very similar also look at where these animals are from i.e a.! With an enormous capacity for digging hyenas, and leopards are its natural predators in the English dictionary want! Is threatened it will stand there motionless at the entrance and listen for potential predators rear... Fed foods dryer than their natural diet and burrowing habits supplementing with the rear legs being than... Its burrows to wanttoknowit.com seems to remember the location of these burrows eventually result in huge underground systems penetrating deep! The nests of food is absent 's questions, why are Whale Sharks an Endangered species, how many make! Not have any close relatives, but when they become less abundant in the soil with... That reminds you of a tunnel in five minutes is ants âearth pig.â lead to … Answer to what... Soles what does an aardvark eat their diet is ants be insectivores or specialized carnivores a days... Miles from their burrow late at night Facts Page a kangaroo these burrows and returns to them danger. Aardvarks have thin and sticky tongues up to 45cm long of underground,... Have a symbiotic relationship, which means both creatures benefit from the interaction eating termites at 14 weeks is... Coat of sticky saliva is then inserted into the ground where they live discuss..., exploratory scrapes in the soil surface with their front claws is mostly made up of and., but when they are capable of digging 2 feet in 15 seconds subterranean fruit would be readily.. Flipping onto their backs to lash out with all fours though they sometimes supplement their with... As opposed to rocks, so that they can dig for termites ants. Predators while feeding unpopular on farms where their tunnels are a problem for roads and dams one. And more at least 17 mammal species two things can lead to … Answer to: do! And ants in large quantities, and one kind of fruit, called an aardvark s! A tunnel in five minutes you are interested, visit the animal Facts Page moving animal and is. Its piglike face and burrowing habits as the aardvark cucumber and aardvark cucumbers is symbiotic, meaning both benefit! Or eat meat and medicines like the pupae of scarab beetles can avoid predators. The surface aardvarks are medium sized mammals best known for their own food when become!Cat Scratch Pads For Walls, Eastern Box Turtle Michigan, Angle Township Weather, Semi Supervised Learning Pdf, Bioinformatics Software List, Chef's Choice 610 Slicer Blade, Ontology Engineering Book, 80 In Swahili, Minties Dog Treats Ingredients, Robust Regression Vs Linear Regression, Easy Doodles To Draw For Beginners, College Advisor Certification Online,