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Aardvark: Tubulidentata - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, AARDVARKS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Though not common anywhere, aardvarks live primarily in the grassland and woodlands of the part of Africa south of the Sahara desert. They have also been seen in rainforests.

Termites are the aardvark's preferred food. Aardvarks will dig at a termite mound and eat the escaping termites, or look for a whole colony on the move and eat them as they march along. (© Nigel J. Dennis/Photo Researchers, Inc. Reproduced by permission.)

AARDVARKS AND PEOPLE

European colonialists hunted aardvarks for their meat and hide. Africans continue to hunt aardvarks and consider it a sport as well as a means of survival.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Aardvarks are classified as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Books:

Joyce, Peter. From Aardvark to Zebra: Secrets of African Wildlife. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik, 2000.

McColaugh, Doreen Wolfson. Wild Lives Guidebook. African Wildlife Federation, 1997. Online at http://www.awf.org/wildlives/60 (accessed on July 9, 2004).

Web sites:

African Wildlife Federation. http://www.awf.org (accessed on July 9, 2004).

"Science & Nature: Animals." BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/reallywild/amazing/aardvark.shtml (accessed on July 9, 2004).

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