Aardvark, Erdferkel (Orycteropus afer).
Zoo Berlin 4th January 2011.
Copyright by Klaus Rudloff


The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. Unlike other insectivores, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding areas that are mainly rocky. A nocturnal feeders, aardvarks subsist on ants and termites, which they will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. Aardvarks also dig to create burrows in which to live and rear their young.