Although they have some similarities, the African Aardvark and the Central / South American Anteater are two different species that people often tend to confuse.
Today for Wildlife Wednesday we look at the differences and similarities between these two unusual-looking mammals.
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| Aardvark - Aardvark Image - CC licence | Giant Anteater - Anteater Image - CC licence |
Basic description:
- The aardvark is a nocturnal, long-snouted, burrowing African mammal, with long ears.
- The anteater is a mammal commonly known for eating ants and termites with its long tongue.
Class & Order (the scientific stuff)
- Both are mammals.
- Aardvarks are the only living species of the order Tubulidentata
- Anteaters are in the order of Pilosa, suborder Vermilingua
Size:
- Aardvark: weighs in at 40 – 65kg, 1 – 1.3m in length
- Anteater – weighs in at 22 – 40kg and is the same length – 1 – 1.3m
Geographical distribution:
- Aardvarks live in African savannas, open grasslands, woodlands, and scrub. They can be found throughout the continent, from southern Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.They live in burrows underground.
- Anteaters are extensively distributed in South and Central America, living in low swampy savannas, along the banks of rivers, and in humid forests. The live on the ground.
Teeth:
- Aardvarks have cylindrical teeth. The teeth have no enamel coating and are worn away and regrow continuously.
- Anteaters are toothless. Their physical digestion is aided by the pebbles and debris that they consume when they ingest insects. They have long tongues, up to 18m in length!
Habits:
- Aardvarks are nocturnal.
- Anteaters are Diurnal
Diet:
- Both animals eat mostly ants and termites
Lifespan:
- Both animals live up to 25 years in captivity.
Mythology:
- Aardvark: In African folklore the aardvark is admired for its diligent quest for food and its fearless response to soldier ants.
- Anteater: The Aztecs and Mayans frequently portrayed the anteater as a symbol of war or divine retribution. The Inuit of Greenland see the anteater as good luck in hunting and fertility.
Information sources:
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Aardvark_vs_Anteater
http://whitebearsblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/is-for-anteater.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aardvark