Aardwolf

Facts about the aardwolf

The Aardwolf is a medium-sized carnivore, hyena-like in appearance with a thick coat of long, coarse erectile hair down the neck and back. The hair is raised when the aardwolf is threatened or frightened. The basic colouring of this animal ranges from a light tawny to a yellow-white with a few vertical black stripes on the body and black bands at the top of its legs. Unlike the two hyena species, the black muzzle and feet of the aardwolf are small. The bushy tail is generally the same colour as the body but darkens at the end. The ears are large and pointed.

The aardwolf occurs widely throughout South Africa and has a wide habitat tolerance being distributed in both high and low rainfall areas. The Aardwolf does tend to prefer open areas but this generally depends on the availability of termites, its principle food.

Although the Aardwolf is mostly active at night, one could see it during the early mornings and late afternoons. It occurs singly, in pairs and in family units.

The diet of the aardwolf consists mainly of terminates although they will eat other insects as well. The check-teeth of the aardwolf are greatly reduced in size and are not capable of dealing with flesh.

1-4 young are born in a burrow after a gestation period of 60 days. The young are generally born between October and February.