The Aardvark (Orycteropus afer), also called the African ant bear, anteater (not to be confused with the true anteaters of South America), and Cape anteater after the Cape of Good Hope, is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known. Aardvarks are afrotheres, a clade which also includes elephants, manatees, and hyraxes. The name "aardvark" means "earth pig", even though they're actually more closely related to elephants.
Unlike other insectivores, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding areas that are mainly rocky. A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young. Aardvark burrows are often used by other animals for a home.