Page 10 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

10 ATLAS OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST ANIMALS

Aardvark

Aardvarks are surely Africa’s most curious-looking mammals. With

their almost hairless bodies, rabbit-like ears, a toothless snout and
snakelike tongue, these ‘earth pigs’ are so odd that scientists still
struggle to classify them. With no known relatives they have been
described as ‘living fossils’.

Key Facts ORDER Tubulidentata / FAMILY Orycteropodidae /
GENUS & SPECIES Orycteropus afer

Weight 49.9–81.6kg (110–180Ib)
Length Up to 1.8m (6ft) including tail
Sexual maturity 2 years

Breeding season May–June near equator;
October–November southern Africa
Number of young Number of young: 1

Gestation period 7 months
Breeding interval Yearly
Typical diet Typical diet:Termites and other
insects
Lifespan Up to 23 years in captivity

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