Elusive aardvark spotted

Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS & VIDEO – Aardvarks are elusive, uncommon and hard to spot.

Needless to say wildlife enthusiast Joe Kroon was very pleased indeed when he spotted a lone aardvark prowling around at Karri Grove Wildlife in the Kendrew district on Tuesday afternoon, June 27, and managed to get decent footage of it.

Here are 5 interesting facts sourced from Africa Geographic about this very unique animal:

• The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is the only species in its order. It is literally like no other animal on earth.

• The reason that they are so hard to spot is because aadvarks are nocturnal. After sunset, they leave their cool burrows and forage over many kilometres in grasslands and forests for their favourite food, termites, swinging their long nose from side to side to pick up the termites’ scent.Aardvarks are classified as omnivores, but they are far more specialised than that.

• They are truly insectivores, consuming termites and ants exclusively. When food is scarce and they are forced to aardvarks will eat other soft-bodied insects or wild melons. Aardvarks have an excellent sense of smell which they use to find food, and wonderful hearing which they use to keep from becoming food.

• The aardvark’s head is elongated and its snout has hairs and fleshy folds that can close, keeping dirt, dust and insects out. The aardvark has an unusual ability in that it can seal its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout. The aardvark’s skin is extremely tough, protecting it from the bites and stings of its prey.

• Aardvarks are not fast runners but they can quickly dig a defensive burrow. The aardvark’s tail is thick and strong and they will use it as a club. Their sharp claws are formidable weapons, and if caught in the open, the aardvark will roll on its back to engage all four feet in the fight.

Watch the video of the aardvark spotted on Tuesday afternoon by local Joe Kroon: