Aardwolf

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The aardwolf (Proteles cristata) is a small, insectivorous mammal, native to Eastern and Southern Africa.

The name means "earth wolf" in Afrikaans/Dutch. It is also called "maanhaar jackal". It is related to hyenas, but unlike its relatives, it does not hunt large prey.

This unusual animal preys on insects. It feeds mainly on termites and can eat more than 200,000 in a single night, using its long, sticky tongue to collect them.The aardwolf is the only surviving species of the subfamily Protelinae.

Two subspecies are recognized: Proteles cristatus cristatus of Southern Africa, and Proteles cristatus septentrionalis of eastern and northeastern Africa.

It is usually placed in the Hyaenidae, though formerly separated into the family Protelidae.

The aardwolf lives in the scrublands of eastern and southern Africa.

These are the areas of land covered with stunted trees or shrubs.