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Meet The Cutest Animal You’ve Never Heard Of
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Meet The Cutest Animal You’ve Never Heard Of

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Ever heard of an aardwolf? If the answer is no then prepare yourself for the most adorable animal you never even knew existed.

These wild animals come from the same family as the hyena, which explains why they look so similar, but unlike their bone-chomping cousins, aardwolves prefer to munch on termites, much like an aardvark (the word “aard” actually comes from the Dutch word “aarde” by the way, which means earth).

They’re native to East and Southern Africa, where they live in underground burrows. These unique animals often don’t dig the holes themselves, however, preferring to inhabit abandoned burrows of other animals. They’re shy and nocturnal creatures, although during the winter they’ll conserve energy by sleeping at night and feeding during the day. These cute animals have long sticky tongues which they use to lap up thousands of termites. A single aardwolf can eat up to 300,000 termites per night! An adult aardwolf grows to roughly the same size as a fox, and being monogamous creatures, they stay with the same mate for their entire lifetime. Did we also mention these interesting animals were super cute? Well, they are. Scroll down to see these unusual animals for yourself.

This little critter is a baby aardwolf

Image credits: arkive

The adults are just as cute as the babies

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Image credits: Unknown

Aardwolves come from the same family as the hyena, but these guys have mohawks!

Image credits: Unknown

Unlike their bone-chomping cousins, aardwolves prefer to munch on termites

Image credits: Hennie van Heerden

They’re nocturnal creatures and they live in underground burrows  in East and Southern Africa

Image credits: Unknown

Scientists once thought they were solitary creatures, but actually they’re very family oriented

Image credits: Ohange Namibia Lodge

They often don’t dig the holes themselves however, preferring to inhabit abandoned burrows of other animals

Image credits: Daryl Balfour

They have long sticky tongues which they use to lap up thousands of termites

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Image credits: Nigel J Dennis

A single aardwolf can eat up to 300,000 termites per night!

Image credits: Cincinnati zoo

An adult grows to roughly the same size as a fox

Image credits: Animals-Safaris

Being monogamous creatures, they stay with the same mate for their entire lifetime

Image credits: Gerard Lacz

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wroehlig avatar
zori-i-iana avatar
Zori the degu
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree. I've always loved aardwolves, they have that cuteness and gracefulness their relatives, the hyenas, lack.

Load More Replies...
gayle_bynum_cardosa avatar
mollytallmadge avatar
Molly Tallmadge
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aardwolf: The Hyena Pokemon. The evolved form of Mohawk. Aardwolfs are exceedingly cute.

princess_puppy avatar
scrappyrat
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow...how coincidental...I was just looking up aardwolves yesterday. Get out of my brain! ;)

dopethronepunkuk avatar
DopethronePunkUK
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah beautiful creatures, now lets leave them be to be wild animals and not bothering them again for photos.

kirchnerv avatar
Kirchner Deventer
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok sure, we here in South Africa will just close all our natural parks to conservationists, wildlife photographers and tourists. I mean, it's not like these people actually generate the revenue we need to actually protect these animals!

Load More Replies...
lanza130 avatar
mark-mckenzie_1 avatar
anarkzie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm learning Dutch at the moment, Aardbei is how you say strawberry, any dutch people on here know if the name has any kind of connection?

virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed. Aard means earth in both words and wolf is the same in both languages. Aardbei is literally earth berry. Bei is kind of an old word for berry.

Load More Replies...
s_boussaaddan avatar
Nora
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since they are in East Africa, The name most probably comes from Arabic أرض , pronounced 'ard', which means 'earth'.

cip-iesan-67 avatar
Cip IESAN
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ideal pet if you have problems with termites in your neighbourhood!

gavinivey avatar
Gavin Ivey
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately not: They do not destroy the termite mound or consume the entire colony, thus ensuring that the termites can rebuild and provide a continuous supply of food. They often memorize the location of such nests and return to them every few months.

Load More Replies...
idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm in the midst of a termite situation here, I could use a few of these cute lil guys :)

neensdream avatar
Neena E. Ranci
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FYI- stripped Hyenas also have the very long guard hairs on their backs. But not the spotted hyenas.

lillukka79 avatar
Lillukka79
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cute, but not the cutest, and yes I had heard of these. I hate these headings.

nhofstad avatar
Nathan Hofstad
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very cool to see these animals getting some love and attention. The documentary Castles of Clay and the The Rich Man’s Table episode of The Velvet Claw series both have very nice footage of these guys doing their stuff in the wild.

littlegreycells avatar
Donna O
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The adult looks like the Pokemon furrett! They are very cute, but not quite as cute as sugar gliders, they are absolutely adorable!

hidaya_7 avatar
Terri Rowland
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This deserves a million up votes and more... I so need an aardwolf.. like right now..🐕💞💚💖💜💝😇

dcloud1943 avatar
Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so interesting. I've heard of those before. I'm going to look them up on Google.

tamlee avatar
Tam Lee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yay I love them!! I also really love that now we know more than just birds and humans mate for life. :)

nhofstad avatar
Nathan Hofstad
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although it’s not uncommon for a bonded vixen to mate with a neighboring male on the side, lol.

Load More Replies...
santinomarazzo avatar
Santino Marazzo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! love it when I learn something new every day. Heard about aardwolves but never seen one. Beautiful animal. Thanks.

blomgren182 avatar
blomgren182
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some triggerfinger see´s this and want to go for a hunt. The problem with showing the world the cuteness

maggiec2ditto avatar
Maggie Collins
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think a hyena and a fox bred. I have heard of interspecies breeding. Looks like that to me. But CUTE, oh boy are they. Especially the littlest pups when they are first born. Oh yeah I'm hooked.

ispeakcatanese avatar
ispeak catanese
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where can I rent one? They're much cuter than tenting and blowing poisonous gas all over my house.

briana_delaney avatar
Briana Delaney
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, Bored Panda, I had HEARD of them...just didn't know how they looked.

k8ms avatar
Kate Swartz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this for real!? I need a post on all the u known animals of the world! I'm sure there are so many!

raimei avatar
rai mei
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I soooo neeed this pet! There are termite colonies in our place and treatment don't even faze them as they keep coming back.

kaylamartin avatar
Kayla Martin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There so cute ia wish i can pet one of them,if their tamed😍😍😍😍

marionfriedl avatar
Marion Friedl
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never saw these aardwolves before either, they´re adorable, I hope they won´t be killed by some wild-gone hunters or poachers!!! 😲😲😲💖💖💖

autumnjn avatar
Autumn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwwww! Why don't we ever hear of these cuties? Like- Hyenas, yea, i know them, but these guys?! So cute~!

autumnjn avatar
Autumn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also like hyenas too, although scientifically, their lives suck. Look up MinuteEarth for that.

Load More Replies...
wroehlig avatar
zori-i-iana avatar
Zori the degu
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree. I've always loved aardwolves, they have that cuteness and gracefulness their relatives, the hyenas, lack.

Load More Replies...
gayle_bynum_cardosa avatar
mollytallmadge avatar
Molly Tallmadge
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aardwolf: The Hyena Pokemon. The evolved form of Mohawk. Aardwolfs are exceedingly cute.

princess_puppy avatar
scrappyrat
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow...how coincidental...I was just looking up aardwolves yesterday. Get out of my brain! ;)

dopethronepunkuk avatar
DopethronePunkUK
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah beautiful creatures, now lets leave them be to be wild animals and not bothering them again for photos.

kirchnerv avatar
Kirchner Deventer
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok sure, we here in South Africa will just close all our natural parks to conservationists, wildlife photographers and tourists. I mean, it's not like these people actually generate the revenue we need to actually protect these animals!

Load More Replies...
lanza130 avatar
mark-mckenzie_1 avatar
anarkzie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm learning Dutch at the moment, Aardbei is how you say strawberry, any dutch people on here know if the name has any kind of connection?

virgilblue avatar
Virgil Blue
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indeed. Aard means earth in both words and wolf is the same in both languages. Aardbei is literally earth berry. Bei is kind of an old word for berry.

Load More Replies...
s_boussaaddan avatar
Nora
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since they are in East Africa, The name most probably comes from Arabic أرض , pronounced 'ard', which means 'earth'.

cip-iesan-67 avatar
Cip IESAN
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The ideal pet if you have problems with termites in your neighbourhood!

gavinivey avatar
Gavin Ivey
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately not: They do not destroy the termite mound or consume the entire colony, thus ensuring that the termites can rebuild and provide a continuous supply of food. They often memorize the location of such nests and return to them every few months.

Load More Replies...
idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm in the midst of a termite situation here, I could use a few of these cute lil guys :)

neensdream avatar
Neena E. Ranci
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FYI- stripped Hyenas also have the very long guard hairs on their backs. But not the spotted hyenas.

lillukka79 avatar
Lillukka79
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cute, but not the cutest, and yes I had heard of these. I hate these headings.

nhofstad avatar
Nathan Hofstad
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very cool to see these animals getting some love and attention. The documentary Castles of Clay and the The Rich Man’s Table episode of The Velvet Claw series both have very nice footage of these guys doing their stuff in the wild.

littlegreycells avatar
Donna O
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The adult looks like the Pokemon furrett! They are very cute, but not quite as cute as sugar gliders, they are absolutely adorable!

hidaya_7 avatar
Terri Rowland
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This deserves a million up votes and more... I so need an aardwolf.. like right now..🐕💞💚💖💜💝😇

dcloud1943 avatar
Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so interesting. I've heard of those before. I'm going to look them up on Google.

tamlee avatar
Tam Lee
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yay I love them!! I also really love that now we know more than just birds and humans mate for life. :)

nhofstad avatar
Nathan Hofstad
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although it’s not uncommon for a bonded vixen to mate with a neighboring male on the side, lol.

Load More Replies...
santinomarazzo avatar
Santino Marazzo
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! love it when I learn something new every day. Heard about aardwolves but never seen one. Beautiful animal. Thanks.

blomgren182 avatar
blomgren182
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some triggerfinger see´s this and want to go for a hunt. The problem with showing the world the cuteness

maggiec2ditto avatar
Maggie Collins
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think a hyena and a fox bred. I have heard of interspecies breeding. Looks like that to me. But CUTE, oh boy are they. Especially the littlest pups when they are first born. Oh yeah I'm hooked.

ispeakcatanese avatar
ispeak catanese
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where can I rent one? They're much cuter than tenting and blowing poisonous gas all over my house.

briana_delaney avatar
Briana Delaney
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, Bored Panda, I had HEARD of them...just didn't know how they looked.

k8ms avatar
Kate Swartz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this for real!? I need a post on all the u known animals of the world! I'm sure there are so many!

raimei avatar
rai mei
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I soooo neeed this pet! There are termite colonies in our place and treatment don't even faze them as they keep coming back.

kaylamartin avatar
Kayla Martin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There so cute ia wish i can pet one of them,if their tamed😍😍😍😍

marionfriedl avatar
Marion Friedl
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never saw these aardwolves before either, they´re adorable, I hope they won´t be killed by some wild-gone hunters or poachers!!! 😲😲😲💖💖💖

autumnjn avatar
Autumn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awwwww! Why don't we ever hear of these cuties? Like- Hyenas, yea, i know them, but these guys?! So cute~!

autumnjn avatar
Autumn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also like hyenas too, although scientifically, their lives suck. Look up MinuteEarth for that.

Load More Replies...
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