Aardvark (Antbear) |
|
Unique Features
The antbear is also known in South Africa by its Dutch name aardvark, meaning earth pig. The antbear stands 60cm at the shoulder and has a long, pig-like snout and donkey-like ears that are 21cm long. The antbear eats mainly ants and termites, but also eats larvae and other insects as well as locusts and certain fruits. The antbear is known for its love of digging burrows and sometimes, in the rainy seaon, digs a new burrow every day. The antbear's spade-like claws makes it an effecient digging machine - it can dig faster then three men with shovels. While it's digging, it's long donkey-like ears fold back and close to keep the dirt out. An average antbear burrow is 2-3 meters long, where it sleeps curled up in a tight ball, leaving only a small gap at the entrance of the burrow for air. Antbears have a highly developed sense of smell and, when hunting, they keep their noses close to the ground, sniffing continuously. They can pick up the slightest vibrations made by insects 30cms underground. The antbear has very poor eyesight and crashes into obstacles when fleeing from predators. Like the aardwolf, the antbear's tongue is coated with sticky saliva to help it lap up termites and insects. It can extend its long tongue up to 30cm from its mouth. Antbears are nocturnal, they sleep in their burrows by day and come out to hunt at night. They always return to the safety of their burrows before dawn. During the night's activities, they may cover as much as 10-12 kilometres. By digging so many burrows, the antbear unknowingly provides housing for other animals such as warthogs, porcupines, jackals, hyenas, wild dogs, aardwolves, genets - who use the burrows for shelter and breeding. Predators Antbears are preyed upon by lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dogs. During the day they are safe inside their underground burrows. While above the ground they are ever watchful and alert to danger. At any sign of danger they will disappear into a burrow or, if there isn't one handy, quickly dig one in which to hide. If cornered, the antbear may fight back by kicking out with its hindlegs or lashing out with its tail and slashing with its front claws. Family ties Antbears are normally solitary animals, sleeping and hunting alone. The young are born inside the burrows. They are able to start digging at about six months old. |