The Complete Guide to Aardvarks: Africa's Underground Ecosystem Engineers Last Updated: September 2025 | Reading Time: 8 minutes What is an Aardvark? The aardvark ( Orycteropus afer ) is a unique African mammal often called an "earth pig" due to its pig-like snout and powerful digging abilities. Despite its nickname, aardvarks are not related to pigs at all. In fact, they represent one of the most ancient and distinctive mammalian lineages on Earth. Aardvarks are the only living species in the order Tubulidentata, making them truly one-of-a-kind in the animal kingdom. These remarkable creatures have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years, earning them the title of "living fossils." Key Aardvark Characteristics: Scientific name : Orycteropus afer Common names : Aardvark, earth pig, ant bear Classification : Order Tubulidentata (the only species) Native range : Sub-Saharan Africa Diet : Primarily ants and termites (myrmecophagous) Lifestyle : N...
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