National Aardvark Week

National Aardvark Week takes place during the second week of March, this year running from March 3 to March 9. This special week honors the aardvark, a fascinating nocturnal creature predominantly found in Africa. Aardvarks are unique animals with rabbit-like ears, kangaroo-like tails, and a diet that resembles that of anteaters. Despite appearances, they are not closely related to anteaters or elephants. Continue reading to discover more about this intriguing burrowing mammal.

A Brief History of National Aardvark Week

Aardvarks primarily feast on termites and ants, which often leads to confusion with anteaters. However, these two species are not related. Aardvarks are considered ‘living fossils’ since they represent the only surviving members of the ‘orycteropodidae’ family. In contrast, anteaters share a closer connection with sloths. Found mostly in Africa, aardvarks inhabit a wide range of environments across the continent, with the exception of the Sahara Desert. Anteaters, on the other hand, reside in Central and South America. The aardvark’s population is directly tied to that of termites, suffering when termite numbers dwindle. Although aardvarks are not endangered, spotting one in the wild is quite rare due to their nocturnal nature; they emerge at night and stay hidden in their cool burrows throughout the day. Aardvarks are categorized as keystone species in their ecosystem, as their burrowing activities support various other organisms and help regulate ant and termite populations. The main threat to aardvarks in the coming years is the possibility of severe droughts caused by climate change, and we hope further research will shed light on how they will adapt to these shifts.

National Aardvark Week Timeline

• Five Million Years Ago: Fossils of ancient aardvarks have been discovered, dating back approximately five million years.
• 1990s: The puppet character Otis, an aardvark, appears on BBC children’s programming.
• 1996: The beloved children’s cartoon “Arthur” features a family of aardvarks.
• 2013: A monumental 30-meter-long aardvark sculpture called ‘Feestaardvarken’ is unveiled in Arnhem, Holland.

Common Questions About Aardvarks

• Is an aardvark a pig? No, aardvarks are not pigs and are not related to them.
• Can an aardvark be kept as a pet? Due to their nocturnal habits and burrowing nature, aardvarks are not suitable pets.
• Are aardvarks and anteaters the same? No, they belong to different species, although both are mammals.

Activities to Celebrate National Aardvark Week

• Visit the Zoo: You can see aardvarks at 30 zoos across the U.S. If there’s one nearby, take the opportunity to visit!
• Host an Aardvark-Themed Watch Party: Enjoy your favorite shows and cartoons featuring aardvarks, which is especially fun for families with kids.
• Donate for Research: Support organizations conducting research on aardvarks. Your contributions can make a significant difference.

Five Fascinating Facts About Aardvarks

1. They Have a Big Appetite: An individual aardvark can consume around 30,000 ants in just one night.
2. Gender Identification is Challenging: At birth, determining an aardvark’s gender is quite difficult.
3. It’s the First Dictionary Entry: The word “aardvark” holds the distinction of being the first entry in the English dictionary.
4. Night Vision: Aardvarks can see in the dark, although they are color-blind.
5. A Long Tongue: Their tongues can stretch up to 30 cm in length.

Why We Celebrate National Aardvark Week

• Ecosystem Engineers: Aardvarks play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. After all, who else would be munching on all those ants and termites?
• Importance of Research: While aardvarks are not endangered, it’s essential to learn more about them to ensure their continued survival. Research is valuable for all subjects, so let’s include aardvarks too!
• Animal Holidays are Fun: Celebrating animals is always a joy for us, and a week dedicated to them is even better! Animals have feelings and play important roles, and they deserve to be appreciated, if not loved.

National Aardvark Week Dates

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