aardvark (Orycteropus afer) Aardvark in burrow at SanWild
Author Louise Joubert https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Louise_Joubert
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SanWild17.jpg
The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known. Unlike other insectivores, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding areas that are mainly rocky. A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young.
Order: Tubulidentata
Family: Orycteropodidae
Genus: Orycteropus
Species: Orycteropus afer (Pallas, 1766)