Definition & Meaning of "aardvark"

What is a "aardvark"?

The aardvark is a unique mammal native to Africa, known for its distinctive appearance and specialized adaptations for its insectivorous lifestyle. With its long, tubular snout, large ears, and tough, armored skin, the aardvark is well-suited for digging into termite mounds and ant nests in search of food. They have a long tongue that can extend up to half a meter to catch insects, which make up the majority of their diet. Aardvarks are nocturnal creatures, spending much of their time underground during the day to avoid the heat and sun, and emerging at night to forage for food. They have powerful claws on their front limbs, which they use to dig burrows for shelter and locate food. Aardvarks are solitary animals and are primarily found in savannas, grasslands, and forests across sub-Saharan Africa.