Aardvarks occur throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa with the exception of the rainforests of the west-central parts of the continent. Aardvarks occur in a variety of habitats like grassy plains, woodland, bushland and savanna. The presence of sufficient quantities of ants and termites seems to be the limiting factor, because the principal food are ants and termites, which are gathered with the long, sticky tongue. Other insects are occasionally taken also, and even predation on mice has been reported. Aardvarks also eat the fruit of a wild cucumber, known as the aardvark pumpkin, apparently as a source of water. Aardvarks have a superficial resemblance to a long snouted pig. The aardvark's weight is typically between 40 and 65 kg, and have a length without tail between 1 and 1.3mtr The skin is thick, sparsely covered by hairs and varies in color from dull brownish gray to dull yellowish gray. The pinnae of the ears are large (15-21cm) and can fold back to protect the ears while the aardvark is burrowing. Aardvarks are excellent diggers and in soft earth, an aardvark can dig faster than several humans using shovels.They have excavate burrows that are typically 2-3 m long, although they may be much more extensive. Aardvarks are nocturnal and sleep during the day curled in a tight circle in the burrow. They are solitary and may be territorial. Males and females occupy separate burrows. Aardvarks are listed under CITES Appendix II due to a lack of precise information on its status.

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