Aardvark

 

Linnaean Classification: Eukarya, Animalia, Mammalia, Afrotheria, Tubulidentata, Orycteropodidae, Orycteropus afer

 

Regulator because the aardvark is a mammal that can maintain its internal body temperatures.

 

Neither because aardvarks neither migrate nor hibernate. Aardvarks, however, will move if the soil is too hard or difficult to penetrate.

 

Generalist because aardvarks can live in a wide range of habitats ranging from areas such as rainforests or savannahs where ants, termites, water, and soil are available.

 

Consumer because aardvarks cannot create their own food and obtain energy from consuming other organisms.

 

Omnivore because aardvark has a steady diet of ants, termites, other insects, which it digs out of the ground and slurps up with a sticky, foot-long tongue, and cucumber plants.

 

Niche: Aardvarks live mainly in Africa’s grassland regions, as well as dry, temperate areas. They are nocturnal animals, feeding on ants and termites, as well as the aardvark cucumber. Aardvarks are also terrestrial animals and do not venture into the water very often other than for drinking.