Aardwolf is an Afrikaans word meaning “earth wolf”, though the aardwolf is not a wolf at all, but rather a member of the family Hyaenidae.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Hyaenidae
Subfamily: Protelinae
Genus: Proteles
Species: Proteles cristatus

Physical Appearance: The aardwolf has a yellow-brown coat with several vertical black stripes. It’s forequarters are higher than its rear, and its height at the shoulder is 17.5 to 22 inches. On the aardwolf’s back is a strip of long dark hairs, which form an erectile mane that makes the aardwolf look bigger. Aardwolves are 8- 12 inches in length, discounting the 22-32 inch tail. When attacked, an aardwolf raises the crest on its back, takes up a sideways stance to the attacker and emits a strong unpleasant odor from its anal glands. A bushy man runs from neck to tail.

Habits and Reproduction: The Aardwolf is a nocturnal creature and often solitary making it extremely difficult to study. However some groups have been seen in the wild. Males are generally solitary and associate with females only to mate. Litters of 2-4 young, of which 2 at most will survive. Females raise the young collectively in small groups, that is, they are not particular about whose young they nurse.

Geographic Range: Ethiopian: eastern and southern Africa

Biome: tropical savanna and grasslands

Habitat: Dry brush country of southern and eastern Africa, including parts of Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Angola.

Diet: The aardwolf feeds on insects, mainly termites and larvae, but won’t hesitate to snack on a rodent should come its way.

For more information check out
Hyaena Specialist Group : Aardwolf