{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "aardvark",
  "name": "Aardvark",
  "scientificName": "Orycteropus afer",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "Aardvarks are nocturnal African mammals with pig-like snouts, rabbit-like ears, and powerful claws for tearing open termite mounds. They are the only living member of the order Tubulidentata and weigh 40–65 kg (88–143 lb). Listed Least Concern but locally threatened by bushmeat hunting.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Tubulidentata",
    "family": "Orycteropodidae",
    "genus": "Orycteropus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 60,
    "lengthM": 1.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 40,
    "lifespanYears": 23
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Orycteropus afer"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Ants and termites"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Savannas, grasslands, and woodland across sub-Saharan Africa"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Up to 23 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "40–65 kg (88–143 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) when fleeing predators"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Savannas, grasslands, and woodland across sub-Saharan Africa wherever ants and termites are abundant.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/aardvark/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/aardvark/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}