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Animal profile

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

MammaliaSavanna, grassland, woodland and scrub with diggable soil and termite moundsLeast Concern

Field profile

The aardvark is a nocturnal, burrowing insectivore with a pig-like snout, rabbit-like ears and powerful digging claws. It is the only living member of its order, Tubulidentata. Its abandoned burrows shelter warthogs, hyaenas, birds and reptiles across African savannas.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-05-06

Aardvark

The aardvark is the last of its entire order

Most mammal orders contain dozens or hundreds of living species. Tubulidentata contains exactly one: the aardvark. Every other branch of that lineage has died out, leaving a single animal to represent a whole order of mammals.

Read with evidence →

Aardvark | Daily Animal Facts