THE AARD-VARKS 1405 



to disprove this view; and it is even doubtful whether they should be included in 

 the Edentate order, with the typical forms of which these animals have but little in 

 common, except so far as regards the want of front teeth, and the absence of cement 

 in the teeth of the cheek series. 



The typical Cape aard-vark (Oryderopus afro) inhabits South and 

 Distribution Southeastern Africa; it is replaced in Northeastern Africa by the Ethi- 

 opian aard-vark ( O. cethiopicus) ; the former being distinguished by the thicker coat- 

 ing of hair, more especially on the back and flanks, as well as by the thicker and 

 less-elongated tail, and the longer head and ears. 



The aard-varks are essentially nocturnal and burrowing in their 

 habits, and feed exclusively on termites and ants. In South Africa 

 their deep borrows are generally constructed in the neighborhood of the tall conical 

 mounds formed by the termites; and, in the old days, before these animals were 

 hunted for their skins, it used to be said that wherever termite hills were numerous, 

 there an aard-vark might confidently be expected. Wherever these animals are 

 abundant, a number of half-formed holes are seen in the ground and on the sides of 

 the ant-hills, which have been commenced and abandoned. Aard-varks usually 

 spend the whole of the day asleep in their burrows, but may occasionally be seen 

 abroad in the early morning. Their powers of digging are so great, that in a few 

 minutes they can bury their large bodies, even when the ground is hard and sun 

 baked. In digging, they w r ork with their fore-feet, and throw out huge clods of 

 earth between their hind-legs. Aard-varks are quick of hearing, and very shy, 

 making off at the slightest sound to their burrows with considerable speed. But 

 little definitely is known as to their breeding habits, although it has been ascer- 

 tained that the Ethiopian species gives birth during May or June to a single off- 

 spring. At birth the young is naked and flesh colored, and is suckled by its parent 

 for a long period. 



