Have you heard of the Aardwolf? This unique and fascinating mammal is native to southern and eastern Africa and is part of the hyena family. Despite its name, the Aardwolf is not a wolf at all and has some interesting traits that set it apart from other hyenas. Read on to learn some interesting facts about this remarkable creature.
Specialised carnivores
The Aardwolf is a specialised carnivore and feeds mainly on termites. Unlike its hyena cousins, the Aardwolf does not eat meat and instead relies on a diet of insects. It has specialized teeth and long, sticky tongues that allow it to extract termites from their nests easily. In a single night, an Aardwolf can consume up to 300,000 termites! They also eat other insects such as beetles and grasshoppers, making them an important part of their ecosystem.
Is it a fox? Is it a hyena?
No, it’s an Aardwolf! At first glance, the Aardwolf may resemble a small hyena or fox, but it has some unique physical characteristics. It has a mane of long, stiff hairs along its back and neck that it can raise when threatened to make itself appear larger. It also has long, pointed ears and a bushy tail. Unlike other hyenas, the Aardwolf has very weak jaws and cannot hunt large prey.
Smelly defence!
Aardwolves are mostly solitary and nocturnal, coming out at night to hunt for insects. They are territorial animals and mark their boundaries with scent markings. They are also known for their peculiar defensive behaviour: when threatened, an Aardwolf will raise its mane, open its mouth wide, and secrete a foul-smelling liquid from its anal gland, which deters predators from attacking. Yuck!
Where they live
The Aardwolf is found in open grasslands and savannas in southern and eastern Africa. It is most commonly found in areas with high termite populations, which make up the majority of its diet. They prefer living in burrows, which they excavate themselves or take over from other animals, such as aardvarks who featured in our previous #factfriday.
Their population is in decline
The Aardwolf is not currently considered an endangered species, but its population is declining in some areas due to habitat loss and persecution by humans. Aardwolves are often killed by farmers who mistake them for predators that kill their livestock. However, Aardwolves are actually beneficial to farmers because they eat large numbers of insects that can damage crops.
The Aardwolf is a fascinating and important member of the African ecosystem. Its unique diet and defensive behaviour make it stand out among other hyenas, and its specialized adaptations allow it to thrive in its environment. While it may not be as well-known as other African animals, the Aardwolf is certainly a creature worth learning about and admiring.
Come back next Friday for more interesting facts, #factfriday !
