Vertebrate Zoology - V. M. Konstantinov 2011

Chordates
Terrestrial, or Four-Legged, Vertebrates — Vertebrates with Embryonic Membranes
Class Mammals, or Beasts — Subclass Theria — Suborder Toothed Whales — Order Tubulidentata

The order Tubulidentata includes a single species, the aardvark (Orycteropus afer). Body length ranges from 100 to 158 cm, tail length from 44 to 61 cm, shoulder height from 60 to 65 cm, and the body mass of an adult aardvark is 50 to 70 kg. It has a characteristic snout elongated into a short trunk. The digits bear large, hoof-like claws. The dentition is highly specialized: incisors, canines, and premolars develop as tooth buds but never erupt. Only true molars function, which consist of cemented vertical tubules. The Teeth lack enamel. The systematic position of the aardvark is not entirely clear; they are usually grouped near ungulates, while biologically they are close to xenarthrans. They dig burrows 2 to 3 meters long with a nesting chamber lined with leaves. Nocturnal in habit, they feed on ants and termites. They inhabit Africa south of the Sahara down to the Cape of Good Hope. In many areas, they have been heavily hunted and decimated by humans.



Last update: 13/08/2026

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