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Pronounced As: ärdvärk [Du.,=ground pig], nocturnal
mammal of the genus Orycteropus, sole representative of the
order Tubulidentata. There are two species, one in central
Africa and the other in S Africa. The aardvark, about 6 ft
(180 cm) long, has a long snout, large erect ears, an almost
naked or sparsely haired body, and a long tail. Its forefeet
are adapted for making burrows in the ground and for clawing
open the nests of ants and termites in order to capture the
insects with its long sticky tongue. Its cylindrical teeth
are continuously growing and without enamel or roots. The
aardvark resembles the New World anteaters but is not closely
related to them. It is also called ant bear or earth pig.
Aardvarks are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum
Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Tubulidentata, family Orycteropodidae.
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