aardvark

Nocturnal mammal Orycteropus afer, the only species in the order Tubulidentata, found in central and southern Africa. A timid, defenceless animal about the size of a pig, it has a long head, a piglike snout, large ears, sparse body hair, a thick tail, and short legs.

It can burrow rapidly with its clawed front feet. It spends the day in its burrow, and at night digs open termite and ant nests, licking up the insects with its long sticky tongue. Its teeth are unique, without enamel, and are the main reason for the aardvark being placed in its own order. When fully grown, it is about 1.5 m/5 ft long and its tongue is 30 cm/12 in long.