Aardwolf

Proteles cristata

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Carnivora · Hyaenidae

About

The aardwolf is an insectivorous hyaenid species, native to East and Southern Africa. Its name means 'earth-wolf' in Afrikaans and Dutch. It is also called the maanhaar-jackal, termite-eating hyena and civet hyena, based on its habit of secreting substances from its anal gland, a characteristic shared with the African civet.

Fun Fact

Aardwolves look like small hyenas but eat almost nothing except termites — a single individual can lap up 300,000 termites in one night using a broad, sticky tongue.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Grasslands and savannas

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

8-10 years

Threats

Urban Expansion
Agricultural Conversion

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

More Mammals Species

Abbott's Duiker EN Abbott's Gibbon EN Addax CR African Elephant EN African Forest Elephant CR African Wild Ass CR

Browse all Mammals →