Critter Guide :: Mammals :: Aardvark The aardvark resembles a giant, humpbacked rat with the head of an anteater. It can grow to be 7 and a half feet long and nearly 160 pounds. The aardvark is covered with thick skin that protects against insect bites and is lightly covered with bristly hair. Their eyesight is poor, but they have excellent hearing. Aardvarks are color-blind and nocturnal. They live in burrows and come out at night to feed, travelling up to 10 miles in search of termite mounds, which they tear apart with their strong claws. Where do they live? Aardvarks live in central and southern Africa. What do they eat? Aardvarks are omnivorous, but are specialized in eating termites (it can close its nostrils and fold its ears to keep termites from getting in). They also eat fruit, insects, ants, and occasionally, mice. Critter Fact The name aardvark comes from a word meaning "earth pig." Did You Know? To extract termites from their mounds, aardvarks have the advantage of having a tapered and sticky tongue that can extend up to 12 inches.

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