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Aardvark

Getting back to nature and learning about the magnificence and superiority of the majestic Animal Kingdom is the perfect idea for a family vacation. South Africa boasts a fantastic collection of game parks and nature reserves with the legendary Kruger National Park being the most sought-after destination in the Republic. The Kruger Park has achieved world-wide fame thanks to its staggering assortment of wildlife, its optimum game viewing experience, and the breathtaking beauty the land is ensconced in. One of the much-loved members of the Kruger Park family is the Aardvark, which translates to ‘earth pig’ from the indigenous Afrikaans language. At first glance, the Aardvark appears to resemble a pig with its long snout and body shape, and upon closer inspection it has rabbit-like ears and its tail resembles that of a kangaroo – though it is not related to any of these animals. The Aardvark’s preferred habitat is usually open forests where the ground is soft and water and food are sufficient and easy to find. They are mainly omnivorous, preferring to feed on insects and termites, while they also eat melons. The Aardvark hunts by following a progression of termite nests, sweeping the mounds with their noses and walking in a zigzag-like pattern.

The animal has a protractile tongue, which aids it while it is hunting and feeding; this tongue that can reach 300mm in length is covered in a thick, sticky saliva which reels the insects on to it and enables the Aardvark to feed on them. Visitors to the Kruger Park hoping for a closer look at this intriguing creature is likely to find them at night as they are largely nocturnal; they can also sometimes be found sunning themselves at the mouth of their den or burrow, where they sleep in a tight curled-up ball. The animals build burrows for the purpose of shelter, feeding, and rearing their young. Aardvarks generally prefer their solitude only meeting up with other members during mating season.