AARDWOLF
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Canidae Proteles cristatus

The aardwolf is a member of the hyena family. It has larger ears and a weaker jaw than the true hyena. The African name aardwolf means "earth wolf." The Aardwolf ranges through southern and eastern Africa, living mainly in sandy plains or bushy countr y. It spends the day in rock crevices or in a sleeping chamber at the end of a long burrow.

Aardwolves feed at night on insects which they sweep up with a long tacky tongue. One aardwolf stomach was found to contain approximately 40,000 termites. When insects are in short supply, mice, small birds, and eggs are eaten.

Aardwolves breed once a year. Each litter contains two to four young, born blind. The animal's enemies are pythons, lions, and leopards. It defends itself by emitting a foul-smelling fluid from the anal glands.