Aardvark


In the Wild:

Aardvark are the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known. The Aardvark's closest living relatives include tenrecs, hyraxes and elephants! They have no relation to anteaters despite their similar appearances and diet. Unlike other insectivores, it has a long, pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It is a nocturnal feeder and feeds on ants and termites, which it digs out of hill using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It will also dig to create burrows in which to live and rear young. Aardvarks pair only during the breeding season. After a gestation of seven months, one cub weighing around 1.8kg is born during May-July.

Conservation Status:

The Aardvark is part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Many African tribes hunt this animal for its meat and sometimes use its body parts as charms. Other animals, like lions, hyenas and leopards naturally predate them as prey.

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Quick Facts

  • Lifespan: Up to 23 years in captivity
  • Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, woodlands, bushland

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

  • I just want to say a huge THANK YOU for a wonderful experience that my family enjoyed yesterday at Shepreth.

    Despite the unfortunately changeable weather on Saturday my partner and I along with our 3 children (aged 3,6 and 9) had a most enjoyable day. There was so much to see, do, stroke, learn about, play on, etc that we didn’t want to leave!

    However the icing on the cake for all of us was when we went into Bug City where we met a charming and informative keeper who showed us some of the animals and answered lots of questions from my inquisitive 9 year old about spiders, lizards, snakes and scorpions.

    Please pass on our gratitude to all your friendly staff as it was so nice to take my family somewhere that catered for all ages and where the staff clearly are enjoying what they do and not forgetting all the animals that are so well looked after and cared about.

    Looking forward to visiting again when we can – please keep up the great work!

  • The education team are truly inspirational and clearly love the job they do. The children and adults all had a great time and will have many memories of the animals they had a chance to meet and handle. Thank you so much for taking the time to incorporate polar bear into your session as this helped to make it a more purposeful session for the children. Seeing their faces when they saw the pictures from our story on your board was priceless! The children loved seeing all the animals around the park and I wish you had been there to see them ask ALL the animals “Do you want to be friends with Polar Bear” and when the animals ran off the children said ” We will take that as a no then”. We look forward to coming back in the future.

  • I am writing on behalf of all at South Cambridgeshire Branch of Friends of Chernobyl’s Children to thank you for allowing our new group of children to visit Shepreth Wildlife Park yesterday.

    Our chaperones for the day said how helpful your staff were in every way and that they spent a lot of time with the children showing them how to handle the animals and playing interactive games with them.

    We really appreciate the fact that you have supported us every year for the last five years and twice this year, allowing both our summer group and autumn group to visit. In times of financial uncertainty it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to raise funds and so we really appreciate being able to not only come to the park and use all of your facilities, free of charge, but also that you provided lunch for the group, drinks and ice creams.

    The children also loved the gift bags you gave them.

    I visited Belarus in March to help select these children for our new programme and the situations they were all living in were very sad. This really special day and has given the children some lovely memories to take home with them. I know they will be looking forward to their visit next year.

    Once again, thank you all so much for your support.

  • The children enjoyed and appreciated all you and your colleagues did – they gave us a lot of helpful and constructive information. Your classroom is looking great – you have created such a lovely inviting place for the children. I filled in a visitors questionnaire today because it was so nice to visit again. Shepreth is a lovely place to be, without trying to sell itself or have that ‘glossy commercial’ look that so many attractions have these days. Its just a very genuine place quietly getting on with lots of good work and, I am sure, creating a very loyal following among all who encounter it – in short, a rare treasure!

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