The Aardwolf
The Aardwolf is a small, nocturnal mammal that belongs to the same family as the hyena. They are unique critters with long, pointed snouts and large, round ears. It's a little guy, often less than 20 inches tall, and it sports a shaggy, striped coat that varies from cream to golden brown. Unlike hyenas, though, they have a strong preference for a diet of insects, mainly termites, over carrion. They're a shy, non-aggressive species, which are mostly solitary but can be found in pairs or small family groups.

Aardwolf | |
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Size | 20-30 inches (50-76 cm) |
Weight | 50-65 pounds (23-29 kg) |
Speed | Speed: 25 mph (40 km/hr) |
Key Strength | None |
Biggest Weakness | Small size and lack of physical strength |
Scientific Name | Proteles cristata |
Family | Hyaenidae |
Habitat | Underground burrows |
Geography | Eastern and Southern Africa |
Diet | Termites |
Lifespan | 6 years - 10 years |

The Aardwolf
The Aardwolf is a small, nocturnal mammal that belongs to the same family as the hyena. They are unique critters with long, pointed snouts and large, round ears. It's a little guy, often less than 20 inches tall, and it sports a shaggy, striped coat that varies from cream to golden brown. Unlike hyenas, though, they have a strong preference for a diet of insects, mainly termites, over carrion. They're a shy, non-aggressive species, which are mostly solitary but can be found in pairs or small family groups.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Aardwolf means "earth wolf" in Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa?
Aardwolf | |
---|---|
Size | 20-30 inches (50-76 cm) |
Weight | 50-65 pounds (23-29 kg) |
Speed | Speed: 25 mph (40 km/hr) |
Key Strength | None |
Biggest Weakness | Small size and lack of physical strength |
Scientific Name | Proteles cristata |
Family | Hyaenidae |
Habitat | Underground burrows |
Geography | Eastern and Southern Africa |
Diet | Termites |
Lifespan | 6 years - 10 years |
Aardwolf Matchups
We use AI to simulate matchups between the Aardwolf and other animals. Our simulation considers size, strength, and natural predatory behaviors to determine the most likely outcome.
Fun Fact: Unlike their hyena cousins, Aardwolves use a sticky, long tongue to scoop out their favorite food - termites, they can eat about 250,000 termites in a single night!
Fun Fact: While Aardwolves may look like dogs, they are actually more related to cats, sharing a common ancestor millions of years ago. Cool, right?