lat.: Proteles cristatus

AARDWOLF, common name for a carnivorous quadruped, Proteles cristatus, of southern and eastern Africa, usually placed with the hyena in the family Hyaenidae. Unlike the hyena, which has only four toes on its forefeet, the aardwolf has five; for this reason it sometimes is placed in a family of its own, Protelidae. The aardwolf stands about 51 cm (about 20 in) high at the shoulder, is about 76 cm (about 2.5 ft) long, and is covered with long, coarse hair. It is light buff in color, with an orange tint and dark brown bands.

At night it leaves its burrow, traveling singly or in a troop, to forage for carrion and insects, especially termites. When attacked, the aardwolf erects its mane, achieving a formidable appearance, and ejects a foul-smelling fluid from its anal gland. Having weak jaws and small teeth, however, it is unable to fight off such enemies as the dog. Toward December the female aardwolf finds a burrow and bears a litter of two to four young.

Diet
Termites, ants.Due to its extremely good sense of smell,it can find up to 300,000 termites at one night.

Habitat
Open landscape and middle mountains.

Area
Somalia, Sudan, East and South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe.