Aardvark Skull
Aardvark skulls are elongated and the cranium is relatively small.
Typical of anteaters is the weak zygomatic arch. However it is complete which is not the case in other anteaters like pangolins and South American anteaters.
Aardvarks lack incisor teeth and canines and as a consequence the premaxillae bones are small. The secondary palate is typically mammalian, comprising contributions from premaxilla, maxilla and palatine bones. The pterygoids form the vertical walls of the soft palate.
The tympanic bone forms a ring instead of a bulla which is another feature of aardvark skulls. The lower jaw is weak but does bear teeth unlike most anteaters. The region of the dentary is curiously swollen to accomodate the cheek teeth.
