Fauna
Mammal

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

Also known as African Ant Bear, Cape Antbear

Aardvarks are solitary, nocturnal excavators equipped with robust, spade-like claws that can tear through rock-hard termite mounds in minutes. They navigate savannas using a keener sense of smell than almost any other mammal, sweeping their snouts along the ground to detect underground colonies before scooping up prey with a sticky, 30-centimeter tongue. Their extensive underground burrow networks earn them keystone status across sub-Saharan Africa, providing essential thermal refuges for dozens of other wildlife species.

NocturnalBurrowingInsectivore
Aardvark reference1 / 6
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyTermites, Ants, Aardvark Cucumber
Predators
  • Lion
  • Leopard
  • Spotted Hyena
ThreatsHabitat conversion to agriculture, hunting for meat and body parts, and persecution by landowners
HabitatsSavannas, open woodlands, scrublands, and grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa
Life span18–23 years
Classification
  1. OrderTubulidentata
  2. FamilyOrycteropodidae
  3. GenusOrycteropus
  4. SpeciesOrycteropus afer
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Powerful claws can deliver severe scratches if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Massive, chisel-like claws powered by muscular limbs can slash deeply and cause severe lacerations if the animal is restrained or cornered.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a thickset body, arched back, long tubular snout, and large rabbit-like ears moving low along the ground at night.
What to do
Do not block burrow entrances or corner an active individual; give it a wide berth to retreat underground.
Responsible observation
  • Night Drives: Watch for reflective eyeshine or low-slung, pig-like silhouettes foraging near termite mounds after sunset.
  • Red Lighting: Use a red filter on spotlights during nocturnal safari viewings to avoid dazzling their light-sensitive eyes.
  • Burrow Caution: Avoid stepping near fresh excavation openings, which can collapse under human foot traffic.
Related species
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