Aardvark and Pangolin - WildlifeCampusAardvark and pangolin then tried leaves, grass, bark, flowers,...

– Game Ranging / Field Guiding Course

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Mammals © Copyright

Module # 7 – Component # 20

Aardvark and Pangolin The two Orders examined in this final Component of Mammals share no

taxonomic links whatsoever. However, they all exhibit extraordinary and similar morphology and are grouped together in this component merely for convenience.

Classification

Aardvark are classified in the following manner:

Kingdom - Animalia Phylum - Chordata Class - Mammalia

Order - Tubulidentata Family - Orycteropodidae

Genus - Orycteropus Species - afer

Common names:

English - Aardvark / Ant-bear German - Erdferkel

French - Orycterope Afrikaans - Erdvark Zulu - Sambane

Swahili - Muhanga



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Myth & Legend It was an ordinary afternoon when the eagle came. It landed as it always did after

a long journey, near the centre of the plains. “What have you seen on your travels?” asked the cricket, who just happened to be

the closest animal to where the bird had landed. “Where is the elephant?” demanded the eagle, “I must speak with him at once”. “At the water” said the cricket, “where he is always to be found at the end of the

day”.

The bird flew off again and found the elephant just where the cricket had said he would be.

“ Wise elephant, I must speak with you at once. “ cried the eagle as he had landed, “ I have grave news”.

“Speak” replied the elephant, more curious than concerned, as the eagle always had strange tales to tell after a long journey.

“I saw a great cloud of dust coming up from the South, and flew to see what it

was,” said the eagle. “No doubt the wildebeest, returning from their migration.” offered the elephant.

“No, the great herds have already returned.” said the eagle.

“ A great storm.” speculated the elephant, now looking more concerned than

curious. “No”, replied eagle” the weather is fine and calm”

“ A locust swarm, then” declared the elephant, “what else could it be?”

“Man” said the eagle.

“If man is coming to share the plains, there will indeed be changes.”, stated the elephant, “ bring all the animals together, we have much to discuss”

The animals were soon assembled, and after the elephant has explained their circumstances, the mouse asked why there should be any changes at all.

“Because” replied the elephant “ with man on the plains there will be a shortage of

food and too many animals together collecting it. Some of us must change our habits or we will surely die.” With that the animals then fell to discussing what each would be able to eat so as

not to compete with each other and man.

After many hours had passed, all the creatures present had discussed, debated and compromised and all seemed contented with their lot. As they were about to leave, the snake asked where aardvark and pangolin were, as neither has spoken.



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“Go and find them.” ordered the elephant to the swallow. The swallow predictably found them feeding on the wild berries both were so fond of, and told them that elephant had ordered them to come to the gathering.

“Why did you not heed the first call?”

demanded the elephant. Neither the pangolin nor the aardvark

seemed even a bit perturbed, replying that there was no rush and that they would simply continue to eat the wild

berries as they had always done.

“You cannot” replied the birds. We have already chosen that fruit as our own.”

“Then we choose the nectar.” said the aardvark.

“That is already ours.” declared the butterflies, “You must choose another.” “The honey” offered the pangolin “We choose the honey.”

“No.” shouted the badger, “For that is mine”

Aardvark and pangolin then tried leaves, grass, bark, flowers, seeds, and even moss, but all were already taken.

“Then what is to become of us?” cried the aardvark and pangolin in unison, “For

all the food that exists in large quantities has already been taken.” “Not all,” said the elephant, “The only thing that remains in quantity are the ants,

that is what is left to eat.”

“Also,” mentioned the jackal, “neither of you can run quickly, and man will seek you out for his own food. In order to avoid him, you cannot be seen during the day.”

And that is how it came to pass that pangolin and aardvark are only seen at night

and have the curious diet of ants.



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Vital Statistics

Males Females

Weight 53kg (117lbs.) 51kg (112lbs.)

Total length (incl. tail) 1.6m (5.3ft.) 1.5 m (5ft.)

Height (standing on all fours) 60cm (24 in.) 55cm (22in.)

Tongue length 45cm (18in.)

Gestation period Disputed (see below)

Food preference Termites and ants - see below)

Social grouping Solitary

Longevity ± 9 - 10 years

Aardvark – Orycteropus afer



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Introduction

For unknown reasons this animal was christened antbear. This is an unfortunate

name as although it does eat ants, it “bears” no resemblance to bears at all.

The name aardvark is the combination of two Afrikaans words ‘aard’ = earth and ‘vark’ = pig. ‘Earthpig’ is better since the animal does possess a pig-like snout and ears, as well as a pale sparsely haired body. Irrespective of the descriptions the

name aardvark seems to have stuck.



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Description

There are several very distinct

anatomical characteristics that make this animal stand out from any

others. Firstly, its hindquarters are far better developed than its forequarters. They possess slightly

elongated digits, some of which are webbed. Digits also end in long

sharp claws. Furthermore, the aardvark has a very long, sticky, cylindrical and dextrous tongue.

A dense mat of hair surrounds the nostrils which effectively seals of the

nose when closed and acts as a dust filter. The aardvark has no incisor or canine teeth, only

continuously growing molars, and cheek teeth. The dental formula in adults is: I 0/0, C 0/0, P 2/2 M 3/3. The

cheek teeth differ from those of other mammals in that the dentine is not covered by enamel but by cementum.

There is no need to chew food as the stomach has a muscular pyloric area which grinds the food. They also have well-developed salivary glands.

Males and females both have anal scent glands which release a strong-smelling

secretion.



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Diet and Feeding Myrmecophagy is the scientific term to describe the diet of these unusual animals.

This means that the majority of their diet is comprised of ants and termites. Aardvark have particularly poor eyesight, but exceptional hearing and sense of

smell. When foraging, the animal uses its overly developed snout to sniff out potential food. It is also able to detect the very faint noises made by ant and termite colonies.

When it detects what may be ants or termites just below the soil, it makes several

exploratory scratchings with its specifically designed claws. If it happens to uncover a colony of its favoured food, its begins to vigorously excavate into the termitarium or ant nest. As ants or termites are exposed, it darts its sticky tongue

into the tiny tunnels and crevices made by these creatures and draws them into its mouth by the thousand.

Finding food is not simply a hit or miss affair for the aardvark. Randomly scratching into ant hills does not occur as frequently as excavating into termite mounds. Many

species of termite construct very large termite mounds. These are a common feature of many savanna ecosystems. Aardvark will actively seek out these

structures on their night time forays. A few cursory scrapes into a termitarium will reveal whether a colony is present or not. Should the animal find that the termitarium has not been abandoned it will dig deeply into the mound to uncover

food.

Early studies into the ecology of this animal seemed to show that it preferred termites to ants. Certainly, it is far easier to find termite mounds than hidden

ant colonies buried below the ground with almost no surface features to indicate their presence. From studies on termites it has been found that during the drier winter months the insects have a tendency to remain deeper within the

termitaria where it is warmer. Thus, a cursory digging into the outer layers of the structure would give the false impression that the termite colony was deserted.

This would lead the aardvark to seek alternative food – the ant nests. Current understanding has aardvark eating a higher proportion of termites

during the wet summer and more ants during winter.

Ants and Termites

These invertebrates are not as closely related as many people assume. Termites are classified in their own Order – Isoptera. Ants on the other hand are more closely related to the bees and wasps and share their Order Hymenoptera. Within

this Order all ants are grouped into one family the Formicidae. Termites however have been separated into 5 Families, learn more about them in Module # 2 -

Component # 8.

Studies of aardvark droppings have revealed that wild melons are also eaten on

occasion.



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Social Organisation and Activity

Aardvark are both nocturnal and completely

solitary animals, only seeking a conspecific when wanting to reproduce. When two animals do meet

by accident without the intention to mate they are often very aggressive toward each other. Fights may result in death.

Home ranges will differ according to the type of

habitat and ecosystem the animal is in. Average home range seems to be 4.5 Km2 [1.8 mi2] Some individuals have been known to travel up to

15 Km’s [± 9 miles] in one night.

Due to the fact that these animals are both nocturnal and extremely shy our behavioural

picture is far from complete. They are not easy animals to study. In one

particular attempt a researcher failed to find a single individual after 6 months of determined searching in an area where they were known to be. Frequent evidence

was continually found of their new excavations into termite mounds but the animal was never discovered.



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Digging

Besides the scratchings and excavations into termite mounds and ant’s nests,

aardvark also dig their own burrows. Two types of burrows are dug, one that is only used temporarily and one permanent burrow that is dug by the female for

the purposes of reproducing. These permanent diggings frequently produce quite large networks of tunnels and chambers. They may have multiple entrances and be up to 30 m [100 ft.] long. Typically tunnels tend to be 80 cm [32 in] high

and dug 1 – 2 meters [5 ft] under the soil, although in very large aardvark systems, tunnels may be up to 6 m [20 ft.] deep.

Aardvark tunnels frequently become the residences of a number of other animals. Jackals, foxes, hyaenas, porcupines, pythons, wild dogs, warthogs and

African wild cats are quite comfortable in these spacious networks.



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Reproduction Little is known about the reproductive

habits of these enigmatic mammals. There is evidence however that mating

may be a rigorous affair, with recently mated females showing considerable scarring. Gestation periods for this

animal are disputed being cited as 120 to 210 days.

One altricial offspring is born in the permanent burrow and suckles for at

least 6 months.

Although the young may begin to accompany the mother on foraging forays as early as 2 – 4 weeks old, they only begin to dig for themselves at 6 months. There has also been a report of a female being accompanied by 2 young of different sizes.



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Conservation Status The aardvark has no real anti-predator devices besides its burrow. Its main

predators are leopard and lion and it has also been hunted by local tribes. Its current numbers are uncertain. It retains a wide distribution in a number of habitats

across at least 20 African countries. Aardvark still maintain populations both in and outside of formal conservation areas.

Seeing this animal is considered a rarity and should be regarded as a very special experience. This author has been visiting game parks and nature reserves for 25

years and has only seen aardvark on two occasions.

Aardvark have a potential life span of 9 – 10 years.



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Pangolin

Classification

Pangolins are classified in the following manner:

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata Class - Mammalia

Order - Pholidota Family - Manidae Genus - Manis

Species - temminckii

Common names: English - Pangolin / scaly anteater / Temminick’s pangolin

German - Steppen-schuppentier French - Pangolin Terrestre du Cap

Afrikaans - Itermagog Shangaan - Shikwaru Swahili - Kakakuona



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Vital Statistics

Males Females

Weight 10 kg [22 lbs.] 9 kg [20 lbs.]

Total Length 1.0 m [ 3.3 ft.] 0.9 m [ 3 ft.]

Tail Length 39 cm [ 16 in.] 33.7 cm [ 15 in.]

Gestation Period 150 days

Food Preference Termites and Ants

Social Grouping Solitary

Longevity No accurate data (probably 7 - 12 years)



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Description

This is one animal that is impossible to mis-identify when spotted as it is

covered in rows of brownish – yellow scales. These scales are not true scales (in the fish or reptile sense) but rather a form of keratin, the same substance that

constitutes hair and nails. These scales overlap like tiles from front to back. The scales possess sharp points and edges which form a protective armour.

This mammal has ear openings on its elongated head but no external pinnae. Small black eyes are set into the side of the head which itself narrows into a longish

muzzle. The nostrils can be closed by special muscles to prevent the entry of ants and termites. The tail is stout and mobile despite the scale covering.

Like the aardvark, pangolin also have a long sticky tongue. They have no teeth and food digestion is aided by a well-developed muscular stomach. Pangolins are

also equipped with strong digging claws. The gait is plantigrade, and each foot has five digits ending in powerful claws. The central claw of the front foot is greatly enlarged for burrowing.



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Diet and Feeding Unlike the aardvark, pangolins seem to prefer ants to termites but will investigate

and excavate termitaria on occasion. Once an ant’s nest is discovered by its highly-developed sense of smell the pangolin will open the nest with its front digging claws.

It will then often insert its whole head into the nest and begin to extract vast quantities of ants with its tongue. The tongue, which can be extended almost a meter [3 ft], latches onto adult ants, larvae and pupae. Once the animal has

extracted what it can from inside the nest it will investigate the surface and lick up any ants that have attempted to leave the nest. Evidence just to light has revealed

that the pangolin can tolerate ant bites for up to 40 seconds before moving off. Due to the large surface area of its tongue and the fact that it is coated in a sticky

saliva, it is not surprising that a good deal of soil, sand and grit are also ingested. The pangolin makes no attempt to avoid picking up excess sand or to

expel ingested sand. Since this very unusual mammal possesses no teeth it is assumed that it needs the grit in order to successfully digest its diet of ants.

There are no recorded sighting of pangolin taking any other food source, thus they are considered strongly myremecophagic.



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Social Organisation and Activity Pangolin, like aardvark, are shy, retiring nocturnal animals. They are also solitary

and almost nothing is known about their intra-specific behaviour. In captivity, they don’t seem in the least aggressive.

In order to find ants and termites, pangolin need to forage quite widely for an animal that moves relatively slowly. They occupy well defined home ranges that

may be between 1 and 8 km2 [0.5 – 3 mi2].

Recent evidence from Jonathon Swart, a world expert on the pangolin has indicated that pangolin use urine for scent-marking. This is in contrast to the widely-held belief that this function was carried out exclusively by their anal

glands. The males lift their hind leg before urinating whilst the females urinate in sand. They then roll in the sand, and when walking through the bush, this urine

scent is deposited on the vegetation. Pangolin will forage up to 6 km [3.7 miles] per night, and have a peak of activity

around 21h30 that lasts for up to an hour.

During the day, they will seek out some form of shelter, whether it be a rock crevice, mound or roots, accumulated debris and humus, or a hole. They do not excavate their own tunnels. Pangolin rest for up to 20 hours each day.



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Communication

These animals can be quite noisy when moving through dense vegetation. Pangolin

are also endowed with an active anal gland. This secretes a fluid that has an exceedingly strong and foul smelling odour. It is unknown whether this functions

as a form of intraspecific communication, predator deterrent, or both.



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Reproduction Although records are few and sketchy it seems that pangolin give birth during

the winter months. Only one young is produced at a time. Within a few weeks of birth the young pangolin can travel with its mother. It does so by riding on the

mothers back in a crossways position with its claws hooked under its mothers scales for anchorage.



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Anti – Predator Behaviour The unusual name of pangolin is derived from the Malay “peng – goling”, which is

translated as ‘the roller’. This is a reference to that fact that they have the ability to roll themselves into a ball, tucking in their head and appendages.

This is a defensive mechanism. The pangolin assumes this position when it feels threatened. Once in this position it is extremely difficult to pry the animal open

and predators have been seen dragging and pushing a curled-up pangolin for some distance without success. On the rare occasion when a pangolin has been surprised

during the day (perhaps disturbed from its burrow) they quickly assume this defence posture. If you encounter a pangolin in this position, it is quite possible (though not recommended) to pick up the animal and examine it in detail.

Recent evidence has also indicated another defensive mechanism. This includes the rapid lateral movement of the tail, which can inflict serious harm on an unwary

predator.

If a mother carrying its young is disturbed or threatened, the mother rapidly removes its young from its back and curls up surrounding the baby pangolin.



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Status

Like the aardvark, the population numbers for this species are almost impossible

to calculate. While its defensive mechanism is very effective against predators, it is useless against humans. For centuries, many indigenous tribes have highly

prized the pangolin for its supposed medicinal and magical properties. This practice continues to this day.

Most formal conservation areas are now surrounded by electrified fencing. This is as much to keep the animals in as it is to keep poachers out. Ironically there

have been several reports of pangolin getting tangled in these fences due to their scales. The animals are then caught by predators or sadly electrocuted. It must also be added that the fences in most reserves are patrolled first thing every

morning and there have also been accounts of trapped pangolin being freed unhurt.

There are no completely accurate accounts indicating the longevity of pangolin, which is probably between 7 and 12 years.



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Aardvark and Pangolin - WildlifeCampusAardvark and pangolin then tried leaves, grass, bark, flowers,...

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