Facts about the Aardwolf -- Proteles cristatus:

A summary of most interesting statistics (size, gestation...), amazing environmental adaptations & fascinating facts about social habits, etc.

SIZE: Shoulder height 50 cm, mass 9 kg.

COLOUR: Sandy to yellow brown body with four to eight dark brown vertical stripes. Black feet and tail tip; a thick dorsal mane from the back of head to base of tail, which is tipped with black.

MOST LIKE: Brown Hyaenas, but the aardwolf's body is smaller. The brown hyaena has a brown body and no vertical stripes.

HABITAT: Aardwolfs are seldom found in dense bush, preferring open sandy plains, scrubland and lightly wooded savannahs.

SOCIAL HABITS: The aardwolf lives singly, in pairs or small family groups. They are shy and nocturnal, staying in underground burrows during the day, and are therefore rarely seen. Although they have a definite home range, they are not territorial.

DIET / FEEDING HABITS: Termites and insects make up the bulk of the Aardwolfs diet, although they will also eat birds’eggs and vegetable matter.

REPRODUCTION & GESTATION PERIOD: The Aardwolfs gestation period is two months and about three young are born in an underground burrow.

LIFESPAN / POTENTIAL LONGEVITY: The lifespan is 10 to 15 years in captivity, less in the wild.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Although not an endangered animal, Aardwolf numbers are low. A concern is that any Aardwolfs are killed accidentally by cars (they often get caught in the beam of car headlights).

ENEMIES / MORTALITY: It is unknown whether aardwolf fall prey to other predators.

DISTRIBUTION: Aardwolfs are found in southern Africa and parts of East Africa.

DIET / FEEDING HABITS: Termites, insects, small reptiles and rodents

WHERE FOUND:
Kruger National Park (South Africa)
Pilanesberg National Park (South Africa)
Addo Elephant National Park
Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
Mountain Zebra National Park

More amazing facts on Aardwolfs
Royalty free images gallery with photographs of Aardwolfs