AARDVARK

(Orycteropus afer)

Aardvark, Orycteropus afer, are sparsely scattered throughout the savannah of the southern parts of Africa. “Orycteropus” means “burrowing foot” and “afer” is an adjective form of Africa. Rarely seen, these solitary nocturnal creatures roam the savannah plains night after night in search of ants or a tasty termite mound to help satisfy their huge appetites. Few people understand the ecological importance of the aardvark and as their natural habitat continues to decline, a simple, yet integrated system may be lost.

Why so important:

Facilitator and key species for other animals

Various species are dependent on the aardvark for survival

Abandoned burrows and old opened termite mounds are used by the following species:

	Wild dog, honey badger, aardwolf, hyena & ,jackal.
	black-footed cat, warthog, pygmy mice, big-eared mice & lesser dwarf shrew.
	Bat-eared fox, hedgehogs, porcupine, Blue swallow, ant-eating chats, various snake & insect species.

Points of concern:

Sparsely scattered in Southern Africa

One off-spring per year - survival rate unknown

Cannot be successfully kept / bred in captivity / zoos

Key species, facilitating the environment for other species

Survival of other threatened species depend on aardvark

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Last updated: 11 December 2007