Aardwolf
ExploreMammals
Aardwolf
Proteles cristata
The aardwolf is a small, shy mammal that looks like a mix of a hyena and a fox. It's mostly nocturnal, meaning it's active at night, and loves to eat termites.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Aardwolf has a distinctive shaggy mane running along its back, which it can raise to appear larger. Its yellowish-brown coat is marked with several vertical black stripes, making it look like a slender, striped hyena. They also possess large, pointed ears and a long, bushy tail.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyHyaenidaeGenusProteles
Category
MammalsRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Aardwolves eat almost only termites, sometimes over 200,000 in one single night!
Despite their hyena-like appearance, Aardwolves are shy, gentle, and solitary creatures.
The name Aardwolf means 'earth wolf' in Afrikaans, referring to their burrowing habits.
They never destroy termite mounds, carefully licking them clean instead of digging them up.
Special abilities
Ability
Mane Magic
Aardwolf has a tall mane on its back that helps them look bigger and scarier to predators when threatened.
Ability
Scent Secret
Aardwolf can mark its territory with a strong-smelling liquid from a gland, letting other animals know it's their space.
Ability
Night Navigator
Aardwolf has excellent night vision because of specialized eyes that help them forage for termites in the dark.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 80-100 cm
- Weight
- 7-10 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-15 years
- Top Speed
- 40 km/h
- Litter Size
- 2-5
- Gestation
- 90-110 days
Diet & Feeding
Aardwolves are insectivores, mostly eating termites with their long, sticky tongues!
Primary Foods
- Harvester Termites
- Snouted Termites
- Other insects
- Insect larvae
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Harvester Termite
Hodotermes mossambicus
Primary food source, licked from the surface.
eats
Snouted Harvester Termite
Trinervitermes trinervoides
Another key termite species in their diet.
eaten by
Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are apex predators in the Aardwolf's habitat.
eaten by
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
Hyenas opportunistically prey on smaller carnivores.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Tool Use
This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you ever see an aardwolf in the wild, admire it from a safe distance and never try to touch or chase it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Aardwolf?
80-100 cm
How much does Aardwolf weigh?
7-10 kg
How long does Aardwolf live?
8-15 years
How fast can Aardwolf move?
40 km/h
What does Aardwolf eat?
Aardwolves are insectivores, mostly eating termites with their long, sticky tongues!
Where is Aardwolf usually found?
Grasslands
How does Aardwolf hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Aardwolf usually have?
2-5
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