{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "aardwolf",
  "name": "Aardwolf",
  "scientificName": "Proteles cristata",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The aardwolf (Proteles cristata) is a termite-eating hyena relative of eastern and southern African grasslands. It looks like a small striped hyena but has weak jaws and a sticky tongue for harvesting Trinervitermes termites by night. Adults weigh about 10 kg and are listed Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Carnivora",
    "family": "Hyaenidae",
    "genus": "Proteles"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 10,
    "lengthM": 0.8,
    "topSpeedKmh": 40,
    "lifespanYears": 10
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Proteles cristata"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Insectivore (termites)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Savanna and open plains"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 10 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "About 10 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to roughly 40 km/h when moving at speed."
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Eastern and southern Africa in open grassland and scrub.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/aardwolf/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/aardwolf/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}