Where does the aardvark live?
The aardvark lives across much of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, in sub-Saharan Africa, wherever suitable savannas, grasslands, woodlands or bushland and food are available. It mainly avoids rocky areas. It spends the daylight hours in dark burrows, to escape the heat. It digs a burrow in which to live and rear its young.
What does the aardvark eat?
The aardvark eats ants and termites. It feeds at night: it digs the insects out of their hills with its sharp claws and powerful legs, and sniffs out food with its long snout. In winter, when ant numbers decline, it relies more on termites. Despite appearances, it is not an anteater: it is the only living species of its order. It looks a little like a pig, with a stout body and a prominently arched back.
Is the aardvark endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Some people hunt it for meat. Its ecological role is important: by digging, it creates burrows that benefit plants and many other animals, and it helps control termite populations.
