Aardvark

Identification

The aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing mammal with a distinctly pig-like appearance, though it is not closely related to pigs. Its body is stout with a prominently arched back, sparsely covered in coarse hair that is typically pale yellowish-grey, often stained reddish-brown by soil. The animal weighs between 60 and 80 kilograms and measures 105 to 130 centimetres in body length, reaching up to 2.2 metres including its distinctive tail. Its most striking features are its greatly elongated head with a disc-shaped snout housing large nostrils, and powerful limbs equipped with large, shovel-like nails adapted for digging. The rear legs are longer than the forelegs, and the front feet have only four toes while the rear feet retain all five.

Range & Habitat

The aardvark is found across much of the southern two-thirds of the African continent. It avoids areas that are mainly rocky, preferring habitats where it can excavate burrows with relative ease. As the only living member of the order Tubulidentata and family Orycteropodidae, it occupies a unique ecological niche across this vast range.

Behaviour & Diet

The aardvark is strictly nocturnal, emerging under cover of darkness to forage. It is a specialized myrmecophage, subsisting almost entirely on ants and termites. Using its powerful legs and sharp claws, it methodically digs into ant and termite hills to extract its prey, while its elongated snout and keen sense of smell help it locate food sources. The aardvark digs extensive burrows not only to forage but also to serve as its home, where it rears its young in a secure underground environment.

Best Time & Places to See It

Observing aardvarks requires patience and nocturnal fieldwork, as they are exclusively night feeders. The best opportunities occur in the southern two-thirds of Africa, away from rocky terrain. Visiting suitable savanna and grassland habitats at night, particularly during seasons when termite and ant activity is high, offers the greatest chance of encounters. Local guides familiar with aardvark burrows and foraging patterns can significantly increase sighting success.

Photography Tips

Photographing aardvarks demands specialized night equipment, including infrared or thermal imaging technology, as these animals are strictly nocturnal and difficult to locate. Wide-angle lenses work well for capturing burrow entrances and the surrounding habitat context. The aardvark's compact, low-slung body and powerful digging posture make compelling subjects; focus on capturing the characteristic shovel-like nails and muscular forearms in action. Remote camera traps positioned near active burrows offer excellent opportunities for capturing natural behaviour without disturbance. Patience is essential, as aardvarks are solitary and wary animals.