Aardvark

The aardvark (Afrikaans for “earth pig”) is found throughout much of Africa, from the southern part of Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope. It is a nocturnal animal that lives in burrows and feeds on ants, termites, and other insects. When it digs a burrow, the aardvark uses its fleshy tail to throw back earth. It has an arched back, a tubular snout, and large, upright ears. It uses its chisel-shaped claws to break open the hard clay of termite nests and then eats them with its sticky tongue.