Species

By Stefan Haag - Photo 107167442, (c) Stefan Haag, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121677777

Proteles cristatus

The aardwolf is a small, nocturnal hyaenidae. They have dark stripes on yellow to brown fur with a thick mane from the back of the head to the tail with a bushy black tail and black legs. Like other hyaenidaes, they have longer forelegs which gives them a sloped appearance. There is no sexual dimorphisim within the species.

Range: There are two distinct populations. The southern population is found in southern Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, northeastern Uganda and Somalia. The northeastern population is in central Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

Habitat: Savanna and grassland

Size: 8-14 kg (17.62 to 30.84 lb); 85-105 cm (33.46 to 41.34 in)

Life Span: Possibly 18 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity

Feeding: Insectivore only eating termites from the Trinevitermes and Hodotermes groups.

Reproduction: Polygynous. Gestation is 3 months and they give birth to 2 to 5 cubs. They remain underground for the first month and increase foraging distance every couple of months with parental supervision. Weaning is completed by 4 months of age, but they aren't independent until typically 1 year. Both the male and female care and protect the cubs until they are independent.

Conservation Status: Least concern. Difficult to adapt to captivity only because of their highly specialized diet.

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Full Classification:

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