How to Identify an Aardvark

Coming across an aardvark in the middle of night as it is foraging for food can be rather scary especially if you are unfamiliar with the animal. Rather than fear some horrific creature from a sci-fi movie has come to life, you can identify an aardvark in the following ways.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Note that the animal you are seeing is out at night. During the evening and night hours aardvarks come out to forage for food, which is why in most cases you will come across them when engaging in activities outside after the sun has set.
2. Determine the size and length of the animal you are seeing. Most aardvarks grow to be between three and four feet in length although this can vary depending upon the length of their tail. It is rather long and is included in the overall length of the animal. If just examining their actual body without the tail they measure one to two feet. Should you come across an animal much larger in size it is not an aardvark.
3. Look for any facial features that are unique to aardvarks. They have large ears that point straight up similar to cartoon rabbits. They also have a long snout that extends from their face, and the snout includes a tongue that is long, thin and snake-like. This is aids them in catching ants and other insects to eat.
4. Kneel down close to the ground and view their legs. Aardvarks have short, stubby legs that can barely be seen over their arched back. In addition they have feet with actual toes rather than simply hooves.
5. Examine the color of the body. Most aardvarks have a yellow or gray color, but this may appear slightly red or brown if the aardvark is covered with a lot of dirt. This combined with the steps above should lead you to successfully be able to identify an aardvark or dismiss the animal as some othe rtype.

Tips & Warnings

• Aardvarks are often referred to as anteaters due to this being a staple of their diet.
• Due to the fact aardvarks eat ants, many times you will see them around ant colonies.
• Aardvarks are wild animals so be careful when approaching one to learn more or identify it.