Aardwolf - The Smallest Hyena Species.
- bioworld090
- Jul 21, 2022
- 3 min read
Aardwolf by Greg Hume There are currently four different hyena species on this earth. Aardwolf is the smallest and probably the least heard of the four hyena species.
INTRODUCTION
Aardwolf, scientific name Proteles cristata, is a member of the family Hyenidae native to East and Southern Africa. It is also known by other names such as "Maanhar-jackal", "termite-eating hyena", and "civet hyena". It is the only living member of the genus Proteles.
DESCRIPTION
Aardwolf measures just 55 to 80 cm in length excluding the bushy tail which is 20-30 cm long. It is 40-50 cm in height at the shoulders and weighs 7-10 kg. Sometimes, it can weigh as much as 15 kg.
Image Source: static.boredpanda.com The aardwolf has a coat of yellowish fur and a mane that runs through the midline of the neck and back. It raises its mane to appear bigger during a confrontation. The trunk is covered with black vertical stripes while the limbs are covered with diagonal stripes. It has cheek teeth for eating insects and canines are mainly used for defence and in battles. The forelimbs have 5 toes and the hindlimbs have 4 toes. It has glands on the forefoot, penile pad and near the anus(anal glands).
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Aardwolves are only found in Africa and can be divided into two populations based on which part of the continent they occupy. The population in southern Africa is Proteles cristata cristatus and in eastern and northeastern Africa is Proteles cristata septentrionalis. Their habitat includes open, dry plains and bushland.
BEHAVIOUR
Aardwolves are shy and nocturnal animals that spend their nights eating termites and days sleeping in their burrows. They are territorial animals and an adult pair has a territory of 1–4 km². However, this territorial system may be abandoned when there is a scarcity of food and up to 3 pairs can occupy a territory. Both males and females mark the territory with the black secretions of their anal glands.
The burrows or dens they live in can be dug by them but are generally abandoned dens of aardvark, springhares and porcupines. They can sometimes also live in crevices.
Image Source: ispotnature
These animals have a specific area in their territory called middens for excretion purposes. They dig a hole in their middens and after excretion cover it with sand.
FEEDING HABITS AND DIET
Aardwolves spend the night eating but they can become diurnal feeders only during the coldest periods so that they can conserve their energy at night. The feeding habit of Aardwolves is very unusual as compared to the other hyena species. While other hyenas eat mostly big animals, aardwolves eat insects and larvae. Their favourite food is termites, especially of the genus Trinervitermes. They can eat as many as 250,000 termites with their long, sticky tongues in a single night.
They locate the termites from sound and scent secreted by the soldier termites. There's a popular myth associated with these creatures that they eat carcasses but in reality, they eat the larvae and beetles from the carcass.
REPRODUCTION
Aardwolves attain sexual maturity at 1.5–2 years. Breeding usually occurs during spring or autumn. The unpaired males search for a mate in their own territory and also in the neighbouring territory. They often breed with the female of a less dominant male. Copulation lasts for 1–4.5 hours with males ejaculating more than once. During this time, the mating pair can be interrupted and displaced by the intruder. Copulation always ends with the female entering the den and forcing the male to dismount.
Image Source: Fishki.net
The gestation period is around 90 days. 3 to 5 cubs are born from Nov to Dec. The cubs become independent by the 4th month and leave their parents' territory by the time the next litter is born.
CONSERVATION STATUS
There are no major threats to aardwolves. However, loss of habitat through urbanization and agricultural expansion can become a major problem for them in the future. Predation and road accidents also contribute to their death.
In the past, they were killed by farmers with the mistaken belief that these creatures prey on their livestock but later, the farmers came to know that this was not the case and they stopped killing aardwolves.
There have also been accounts of Aardwolves being used for food and medicinal purposes by the indigenous African tribes.
References :
Comments