Orycteropus afer

(Pallas, 1766)

Vernacular names
English : Aardvark
French : Oryctérope

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Tubulidentata
Family : Orycteropodidae
Notes : 18 subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 142 cm, tail length of 63 cm, weight of 65 kg. Unmistakable, long tubular nose, wide and long ears, strong claws on each feet, thick tail. Body covered with long sparse hairs. Coloration pinkish-gray with black legs.

Range and habitat
This species has a very large range, occupying most of subsaharan Africa except desertic areas and very hard stony terrain. Lives in grasslands, savannas, and most kinds of forests, up to 3200 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species remains globally numerous but local declines are known because of expansion of human settlements and hunting for bushmeat.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, ESB in Europe

Observation

 

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