Aardvark Skeleton

Aardvark, Orycteropus afer

Order Tubulidentata, Family Orycteropodidae

Aardvarks are pig-sized animals that specialise in ant-eating especially termites.

The skeleton is characteristic of a powerful scratch digger i.e. an animal that is able to exert force on soil or clay in order to dislodge it for digging, burrowing or feeding purposes. Typically the limbs are short and armed with powerful claws. The animal is able to secure its position with the tripod arrangement of its hindlimbs with plantigrade stance and a thick tail acting as a brace.

For more information on skeletal parts or click on the words below:

Skull, forelimb, hindlimb, pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle, caudal region

Specimen length from nose tip to tail = 1.21 metres, height (up to top of lumbar vertebrae) = 0.4m.