Aardwolf

The aardwolf is a remarkable insect-eating mammal found in East and Southern Africa, renowned for its termite-based diet. As a member of the hyena family, Hyaenidae, it was previously categorized in its own family, Protelidae. The aardwolf is the sole surviving species within the subfamily Protelinae. Resembling a striped hyena, it features a more slender face, a distinctive mane, and black vertical stripes on its yellowish fur.

Aardwolves thrive in open, dry plains and bushlands, avoiding mountainous regions. They inhabit areas where specific termites are prevalent. These nocturnal animals sleep in burrows during the day and emerge at night to feed. They are monogamous, typically living in pairs with their young, and demarcate their territories using secretions from their anal glands. Their diet primarily consists of termites, particularly those of the genus Trinervitermes, consuming up to 250,000 termites in a single night using their long, sticky tongues.

Breeding usually occurs in the autumn or spring. Following a gestation period of 89-92 days, aardwolves give birth to litters of two to five cubs. They reach sexual maturity at approximately one and a half to two years of age. Although not considered endangered and maintaining a stable population in eastern Africa, aardwolves do encounter threats from humans who mistakenly believe they harm livestock or crops. Additionally, they are occasionally hunted for their fur.

Aardwolves are rather uncommon in captivity. The Frankfurt Zoo in Germany once housed the oldest recorded aardwolf in captivity, which lived to be 18 years and 11 months old. These animals play a vital role in controlling termite populations, which is highly beneficial for farmers as it helps safeguard crops from termite damage.