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Why do aardvarks have sharp claws?
Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food—termites.
Do aardvarks have claws?
A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young.
Do aardvarks have webbed feet?
They have webbed feet like a duck and snout-like a pig. Their hind legs are longer than the front legs, and with powerful spade-shaped feet that help with digging, they are a very distinctive looking animal. In Afrikan, the name Aardvark means ‘earth pig’ or ‘ground pig.
Are aardvarks aggressive?
Their main form of defence is to escape very quickly underground however, they are also known to be quite aggressive when threatened by these larger animals. Aardvarks use their strong, sharp claws to try and injure their attacker along with kicking the threatening animal with their powerful back legs.
Can aardvarks smell?
They have poor eyesight but a phenomenally keen sense of smell. In fact, aardvarks have the highest number of olfactory turbinal bones of any mammal; these are the fine, scroll-like bones in the nasal cavity that are covered by olfactory epithelium for sense of smell.
Why do aardvarks eat ants?
Their sharp claws and powerful limbs are well suited to breaking into termite mounds and ant hills, while their long, sticky tongues are perfect for catching these little insects. They also have a specialised stomach which helps to grind up their prey.
Do aardvarks have predators?
Aardvarks are hunted by humans. Other animals, like lions, hyenas, and leopards are its natural predators in the wild.
Who are the predators of aardvarks?
What eats the mongoose?
Snakes, the marabou stork, jackals, and hawks have been known to eat mongooses.
Do aardvarks make good pets?
Aardvarks would not make a good pet. They are nocturnal, so they would keep you up all night. Their burrowing habit would also be quite difficult to sustain in a backyard. In most places, it is illegal to own an aardvark as a pet.
What kind of claws does an aardvark have?
Aardvarks have strong forearms, and on their feet are claws like spades that you would use to dig in your garden. These claws give them some incredible digging power – 2 feet in just 15 seconds! You might be able to do that with a garden spade but definitely not with your fingernails.
What kind of adaptations does an aardvark have?
Aardvark Behaviors & Adaptations. Aardvarks have strong forearms, and on their feet are claws like spades that you would use to dig in your garden. These claws give them some incredible digging power – 2 feet in just 15 seconds! You might be able to do that with a garden spade but definitely not with your fingernails.
How tall do aardvarks get on their hind legs?
Adult aardvarks are 2 feet tall and can weigh over 180 pounds. They use their iron-hard claws for defense, sometimes rearing up on their hind legs, sometimes rolling over on their backs and striking out with all four feet. They can also use their powerful tail as a weapon.
What kind of food does an aardvark eat?
These claws give them some incredible digging power – 2 feet in just 15 seconds! You might be able to do that with a garden spade but definitely not with your fingernails. An aardvark’s two favorite menu items are termites and ants, and they will dig into mounds to eat the insects.