aardvark
Definition
Noun: 1. A nocturnal, burrowing mammal native to Africa: A medium-sized mammal with a long snout, large ears, a thick tail, and strong claws, primarily active at night. It is the only living species in the order Tubulidentata. 2. An insectivore that feeds primarily on ants and termites: It uses its long, sticky tongue to capture insects from their mounds and nests.
Usage Examples
- As a subject:
- As an object:
- With a descriptive adjective:
Advanced Usage
- In taxonomic context: The aardvark () is considered a living fossil due to its distinct evolutionary lineage.
- In comparative biology: Unlike anteaters, which are found in the Americas, the aardvark is native to Africa.
Variants and Related Words
- Antbear: A common alternative name for the aardvark, referring to its diet.
- Earth pig: A direct translation of its Afrikaans/Dutch name ("aarde" = earth, "vark" = pig), describing its burrowing habit and pig-like snout.
- Orycteropus afer: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
Synonyms
- Antbear
- Earth pig (literal translation from Afrikaans)
Notes on Meaning
The word "aardvark" refers specifically to this single, unique species. It is not a general term for any anteating animal. Its most defining characteristics are its African habitat, nocturnal and burrowing behavior, and its status as the sole survivor of its mammalian order.
Noun
-
nocturnal burrowing mammal of the grasslands of Africa that feeds on termites; sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata
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