The Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) is a small, specialized mammal belonging to the Hyaenidae family, making it a relative of larger hyenas. Despite this familial tie, the Aardwolf is fundamentally different from its predatory cousins. It is a highly specialized insectivore, meaning its diet is composed almost entirely of insects, primarily termites. This unique focus allows the Aardwolf to occupy a distinct ecological niche across the grasslands and savannas of eastern and southern Africa.
The Highly Specialized Termite Diet
The Aardwolf’s sustenance relies overwhelmingly on termites, forming over 90% of its total food intake. It exhibits a strong preference for species belonging to the genus Trinervitermes, often called snouted harvester termites. Specific regional populations consume species like T. bettonianus in East Africa and T. trinervoides in Southern Africa. These termites are desirable because they forage on the surface of the ground in large numbers, making them an accessible meal.
Aardwolves consume a vast quantity of these insects nightly to meet their energy requirements. An individual can lap up between 250,000 and 300,000 termites during a single foraging session. This consumption translates to nearly a kilogram of protein-rich insects every night. This specialized diet limits the Aardwolf’s distribution to areas where these particular termite species are abundant.
The availability of the primary Trinervitermes diet fluctuates seasonally, particularly during colder winter months when they become dormant. In these periods, the Southern African population often shifts focus to the Hodotermes mossambicus, another type of harvester termite. These Hodotermes species may forage during the day in winter, leading to a temporary change in the Aardwolf’s typically nocturnal feeding schedule.
Unique Foraging and Feeding Adaptations
The method the Aardwolf uses to acquire its food is highly adapted and non-destructive. Unlike other termite-eaters, such as the Aardvark, the Aardwolf does not dig into or destroy the termite mound. Instead, it carefully licks the termites from the surface of the ground or from small openings used for foraging. This technique ensures the survival of the termite colony, allowing the Aardwolf to return to the same food source repeatedly.
Anatomical Adaptations
The Aardwolf possesses specific anatomical features that facilitate this feeding style. Its tongue is long, broad, and covered in hardened, specialized papillae, which, combined with a sticky saliva, efficiently capture the insects. Its teeth are significantly reduced to small, peg-like structures, reflecting a diet that does not require tearing or crushing. The jaw muscles are adapted for rapid opening, rather than providing a powerful bite.
Locating Prey
Foraging typically occurs under the cover of darkness, with the animal relying heavily on its senses to locate active termite trails. Aardwolves use their acute sense of hearing to detect the faint rustling and cutting sounds. They also use scent to locate colonies, often detecting the chemical defenses secreted by the soldier termites. Aardwolves have evolved the ability to tolerate the terpenes, which are chemical toxins produced by the soldier termites, allowing them to consume the workers before the soldiers can effectively defend the colony.
Supplementary and Seasonal Food Sources
While the bulk of the Aardwolf’s diet is restricted to termites, it will opportunistically consume other invertebrates when its primary food source is scarce. During periods of drought or cold weather, they supplement their diet with other types of insects and their larvae. This can include beetles, moth eggs, and ants, providing a temporary alternative.
The Aardwolf has been documented rarely consuming larger invertebrates, such as sun spiders and scorpions, but these instances are infrequent. Reports of Aardwolves eating small vertebrates, bird eggs, or carrion are highly unusual and do not represent typical feeding behavior. If an Aardwolf is seen near a carcass, it is generally consuming the insect larvae and beetles, rather than the meat itself.
Aardwolves are well-adapted to arid environments, often deriving sufficient moisture directly from the bodies of the termites they consume. This water-rich diet significantly reduces their need for frequent access to standing water sources. Their specialized reliance on insects distinguishes them within the Carnivora order.