Aardwolves Trivia Quiz

Answer: Proteles cristatus

The generic name Proteles originates from a Greek word which means "complete front" signifying five digits in the front feet of the aardwolf. The specific name cristatus means "crested" or "having a comb" which reflects the mane of the the aardwolf.

Orycteropus afer is the scientific name of the aardvark while Crocuta crocuta is the scientific name of the spotted hyena and lastly Parahyaena brunnea is the scientific name of the brown hyena.

Answer: Genets

Genets and aardwolves belong to the same sub-order of Feliformia. The sub-order consists of "cat-like" carnivores while the otters, dogs and otters belong to the sub-order Carniformia.

The Feliformia sub-family consists of six families which include Nandiniidae (the African palm civet), Viverridae (civets, genets and binturongs), Herpestidae (mongooses and meerkats), Eupleridae (Malagasy mongooses), Hyaenidae (hyenas and aardwolves) and Felidae (cats).

Answer: Striped hyena

Aardwolves and striped hyenas are similar in that both have several stripes on their fur though stripes in aardwolves are more regular than those of the striped hyena. On the other hand, spotted hyenas are the only hyaenids distinguished by having black or brown spots on their coat

The brown hyena is distinguished from the aardwolf by having a long, shaggy brown coat.
Lastly aardvarks are distinct from aardwolves as they have long snouts, stout bodies and elongated ears.

Answer: False

Aardwolves have two disjunct populations which are separated geographically. One population is restricted to southern Africa specifically in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Angola. The remaining population is restricted to eastern and north-eastern Africa specifically in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, south Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

Answer: Trinervitermes

These termites are unique in that they primarily forage on the surface and they do so in dense congregations, meaning they are easily accessible to the aardwolves.

Answer: True

Aardwolves meet their water requirements through their diet. About 74% of the termites' bodies consist of water.

Answer: Terpene

The soldier termites possess highly effective chemical defense secretions which have an effect on most myrmecophagous animals. The exception is the aardwolves which can are somehow tolerate these secretions.

Answer: Aardwolves do not dig up mounds as aardvarks do

Aardwolves locate their food by sound and scent secreted by soldier termites. They just lick them off the ground and they avoid eating the entire colony, thus ensuring the termite population rebuilds once again.

Answer: Solitary

Aardwolves are mainly solitary, though aardwolves would be seen together during breeding time.

Aardwolves display paternal care and the male aardwolf will protect the cubs against predators.

Answer: It provides a natural form of pest control

They do not prey on either livestock or humans and the aardwolf's specialization in eating termites helps farmers in controlling the termite population. Termites are known for destruction of various crops grown by farmers.