Can you keep aardvark as a pet? the short answer would be No, aardvarks are wild animals and not pets. Apart from different legal aspects, their very special needs make them high maintenance and difficult to keep. This article is all about what makes them so terrible pets.
Before I’m going to start with all the reasons why keeping a pet aardvark isn’t a good idea, let’s talk about what an aardvark actually is.
Understanding Aardvarks
In the realm of animal husbandry, familiarity with any prospective pet’s origin and natural behavior patterns forms the basis for successful care. This section aims to foster such understanding about aardvarks, thus equipping you with key insights needed when considering these unique creatures for pet ownership.
Origins and Natural Habitat
Originating in Africa, aardvarks claim habitats ranging from rainforests to arid deserts. They’re nocturnal creatures, typically most active during the cool wee hours before dawn. This characteristic alone, demonstrates their adaptation to avoid extreme day-time heat typical in their native lands. Moreover, aardvarks are supreme diggers, creating extensive burrow systems. These burrow systems function not only as their home, but a vital part of the ecosystem providing shelter for other species like pythons and jackals. Aardvarks, after all, have a close, contextual relevance with their environment.
Physical Characteristics and Behaviors
Standing out with their elongated snouts, aardvarks possess unique physical features. On average, they weigh between 60-80 kilograms, and grow up to 1.3 meters long, mature males generally surpass females in size. Their ears, resembling those of rabbits, sit atop their large, rounded heads, with their tubular snouts housing a lengthy, flexible tongue that can extend up to 30 centimeters.
Known for their solitary nature, aardvarks exhibit independence, generally inclined to solitary activity except during mating season. They’re fundamentally insectivores feeding primarily on ants and termites using their specialized tongue. With their robust claws, aardvarks display exceptional digging capabilities, often seen constructing new burrows or modifying existing ones. Communication, for aardvarks, involves a variety of vocalizations, from soft grunts and bleats to forceful roars, their behaviors reflect adaptability pivotal to their survival.
Gaining insights into the origins, natural habitats, physical characteristics and behaviors enables you to understand if aardvarks make suitable pets, considering the love, care, and attention these creatures demand from their human counterparts.
Aardvarks as Endangered Species
Aardvarks aren’t currently listed as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, their numbers have seen a decline due to various threats including habitat loss, human activities, and climate change. Owning an aardvark as a pet could contribute to this decline, as they are usually captured from the wild.
Can I Adopt an Aardvark as a Pet?
Aardvarks are not commonly kept as pets due to their specialized needs. In many countries, owning an aardvark is either illegal or requires special permits. Here are some key considerations:
- Legal Restrictions: Many regions prohibit private ownership of aardvarks due to their status as wild animals.
- Specialized Care: Aardvarks require a large, secure outdoor space for digging and burrowing.
- Socialization: They are solitary and not typically affectionate like domestic pets.
- Veterinary Needs: Few veterinarians have experience with aardvarks, making medical care challenging.
If you are considering an aardvark as a pet, check local wildlife regulations and ensure you have the necessary resources to care for them.
Is It Legal To Own A Pet Aardvark?
No in most countries like the US and Canada it’s not legal to keep an aardvark as a pet. Even though the species isn’t native in these countries wild animals, in general, are protected.
If you want to keep a pet aardvark, you would have to get a permit or license. This means you have to show knowledge as well as experience with the species. It’s also likely that someone will come and inspect the habitat of your pet. Only when every requirement is met, you are allowed to keep it.
However, there are also some states where the ownership of wild animals isn’t regulated at all. Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin have no laws regarding exotic pets. However, only because there is no law in your state that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s allowed. Ask your county or city before you make any decision.
Apart from all legal issues that might occur: Aardvarks really don’t make good pets at all!
How to Take Care of an Aardvark Pet
Caring for an aardvark is complex and requires a deep understanding of their habitat, diet, and behavior.
1. Habitat Requirements
Accommodating aardvarks in your home presents a challenge due to their unique habitat needs. These creatures are instinctively burrowers, requiring expansive outdoor spaces for their digging habits. They typically dig burrows spanning 30 feet.
- Aardvarks need a large, enclosed space with soft soil for digging.
- A climate-controlled environment is necessary if you live in colder regions.
- Strong fencing is required to prevent escape.
2. Aardvark Price and Cost of Care
- The price of an aardvark can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on availability and legal restrictions.
- Additional costs include habitat setup, food, veterinary care, and permits.
- Expect high maintenance costs due to their specialized diet and living conditions.
3. What Do You Feed an Aardvark?
Aardvarks feast primarily on ants and termites, demonstrating a specialized diet. A single aardvark can eat 50,000 ants or termites in a single night! What do you feed an aardvark? In captivity, owners often provide protein-rich foods, such as boiled eggs or high-quality insectivore feed. Additionally, supplements, including calcium and vitamins, hold importance in maintaining an aardvark’s overall health. Aardvark pet food needs to be high in protein. Do aardvarks need water? Yes, like all mammals they require access to fresh clean water
- In the wild, aardvarks primarily eat ants and termites.
- As pets, they require a diet rich in protein, including commercial insectivore diets, mealworms, crickets, and specialized supplements.
- Aardvarks also need plenty of fresh water as they hydrate frequently.
4. Life Expectancy and Health
- Aardvarks can live 20–30 years in captivity if provided with proper care.
- They need regular health check-ups to monitor for respiratory infections, parasites, and other health issues.
5. Are Aardvarks Dangerous to Humans?
- Aardvarks are not aggressive by nature but can defend themselves with their strong claws if threatened.
- They are generally shy and nocturnal, avoiding human interaction.
- They do not pose a significant danger to humans if handled correctly.
6.Veterinary Care Is Hard To Find
No matter what kind of pet you chose, you need a good vet near you. Even if your pet stays healthy all the time, it needs regular check-ups and vaccines.
The problem with exotic pets like aardvarks is that almost no vet has experience with them. All the vets who technically could treat your pet are working full-time at a zoo or animal park.
If you still find one, be prepared to spend some extra bucks. The treatment of exotic pets is more expensive than the one of cats or dogs.
How Much Does A Aardvark Cost?
Honestly, this is hard to tell because there are just none for sale. You can’t just go to your local pet shop and buy an aardvark. As I know there are also no breeders within the US.
I can imagine the price would be very high when you pay someone to bring you an aardvark. Most likely you will also need contacts into circles of pet traders and I bet you don’t want to get in touch with such people.
However, the real costs would only begin to start after you made your purchase. Setting up the enclosure, buying food, and veterinarian care do cost a lot of money. Often they are underestimated by soon-to-be pet owners.
The worst thing that can happen is, that you would have to give your pet away to an animal shelter because you can’t afford to keep it.
The cost of acquiring an aardvark varies depending on several factors:
- Legality and Availability: Some exotic animal breeders may sell aardvarks, but ownership laws differ by region.
- Initial Purchase Price: Aardvarks are rare and can cost between $5,000 and $15,000.
- Ongoing Costs: Expenses include food, habitat maintenance, veterinary care, and permits.
Finding an aardvark for sale is difficult, and prospective owners should only purchase from reputable, legal sources.
The Pros and Cons of Owning an Aardvark as a Pet
Aardvarks are unique, nocturnal mammals found in Africa. With their long snouts, strong claws, and love for ants and termites, they are fascinating creatures. But can you have an aardvark as a pet? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about aardvark ownership, legal considerations, care requirements, and why they don’t make good pets.
Pros of Owning an Aardvark as a Pet
- Unique and Fascinating Animal: Aardvarks are rare and intriguing creatures, making them an interesting pet for exotic animal enthusiasts.
- Pest Control: Since aardvarks consume thousands of ants and termites daily, they could help manage insect populations in certain environments.
- Conversation Starter: Owning an aardvark is highly unusual, making it an interesting topic of discussion and potentially increasing awareness about wildlife conservation.
Cons of Owning an Aardvark as a Pet
- Not Domesticated: Aardvarks are wild animals with instincts that make them difficult to train or keep in a home environment.
- Specialized Diet: They require thousands of ants and termites daily, which is difficult and impractical to provide in captivity.
- Large Space Requirements: Aardvarks roam over vast territories and dig extensively, making them unsuitable for small spaces or traditional home settings.
- Difficult Veterinary Care: Exotic animal vets who can treat aardvarks are rare and expensive, making medical care a challenge.
- Expensive Maintenance: The cost of proper housing, food, and medical care is extremely high, often underestimated by potential owners.
- Legal Restrictions: In most countries, including the U.S. and Canada, aardvark ownership is illegal without special permits.
Aardvark and Human Interaction
Humans do not usually cross paths with aardvarks because these animals are nocturnal, and can be quite secretive. Their population levels are stable, but they are in a somewhat precarious position.
Because they have such a specialized diet, the collapse of a food source could effectively decimate populations in a given area, or across the country. If pollution or global climate change impacts the ants or termites that aardvarks prey on, their numbers could decrease very quickly.
Aardvark vs. Anteater: Understanding the Difference
Aardvarks and anteaters are often confused, but they are different species:
- Aardvarks belong to the order Tubulidentata, while anteaters belong to the order Pilosa.
- Aardvarks have teeth, whereas anteaters lack teeth completely.
- Anteaters are found in South America, while aardvarks are native to Africa.
What Are the Benefits of the Aardvark?
Aardvarks provide several ecological benefits, making them important to their environment. Here are some key contributions:
1. Ecosystem Engineers
- Aardvarks dig large burrows, which provide shelter for many other animals, such as warthogs, porcupines, hyenas, reptiles, and birds.
- Their burrowing helps aerate the soil, promoting plant growth and nutrient recycling.
2. Pest Control
- Aardvarks primarily eat ants and termites, helping to keep their populations in check and preventing potential damage to vegetation and human structures.
3. Seed Dispersal
- They consume fruits like the aardvark cucumber (Cucumis humifructus), which relies on them for seed dispersal. The fruit develops underground, and after being eaten, its seeds are spread through the aardvark’s feces.
4. Biodiversity Support
- By maintaining healthy ecosystems through their burrowing and feeding habits, aardvarks indirectly support a wide range of other species.
While they are elusive and not widely studied, aardvarks play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their habitats.
Do Aardvarks Need Water?
Yes, aardvarks need water, but they can survive for long periods without drinking it directly. They obtain most of their moisture from the insects they eat, particularly termites and ants. However, when water is available, they do drink it. In arid environments, they rely on their diet and metabolic water to stay hydrated.
Can People Eat Aardvark?
Yes, people can eat aardvark. In some African countries, especially in rural areas, aardvark meat is considered a source of bushmeat and is consumed by local communities. The meat is often roasted, smoked, or cooked in stews. However, like with any wild animal, proper preparation is necessary to avoid diseases or parasites. Additionally, hunting aardvarks may be restricted in some regions due to conservation concerns.
Are Aardvarks Shy?
Yes, aardvarks are naturally shy and solitary animals. They are nocturnal and tend to avoid human contact, spending most of their time burrowing or foraging for ants and termites at night. If threatened, they rely on their strong digging abilities to escape rather than confrontation. Their elusive nature makes them difficult to spot in the wild.
What Is the Enemy of an Aardvark?
Aardvarks have several natural predators, including:
- Lions
- Leopards
- Hyenas
- Pythons
To protect themselves, aardvarks rely on burrowing and their powerful claws for defense.
Interesting Facts About the Aardvark
These funny looking animals are chock-full of surprises. Besides their unique appearance, aardvarks have a number of other traits that you may not know about.
- Keystone Species – Aardvarks are considered a keystone species, which means they are an animal that balances the ecosystem around them. Some other good examples of keystone species are sea otters and tortoises. Aardvarks dig burrows that house a number of other species, like the endangered African wild dog. They are also an important pollinator for some plant species, including the aardvark cucumber.
- Aard-who? – The name Aardvark comes from the Afrikaans language in South Africa. The name translates loosely to earth pig or ground pig, and comes from their close resemblance to pigs. Some other nicknames for aardvarks are cape anteater, antbear, and earthhog.
- Subterranean Lifestyle – Aardvarks are nocturnal animals, and spend much of their time in underground burrows. To escape the heat, they can dig extensive burrow systems, especially during the breeding season. They are expert diggers, and tunnel systems can exceed 33 ft. in length!
- Less Like a Pig, More Like a… – Though aardvarks look similar to pigs, that is where the similarities end. Most of an aardvark’s diet consists of ants and termites, making aardvarks more like anteaters than pigs. A single aardvark can eat 50,000 ants or termites in a single night!
Reproduction of the Aardvark
Female aardvarks have a gestation period of seven months. They give birth to a single baby, called a “cub,” within their burrow. The aardvark cub is very wrinkly, with floppy ears when it is first born. After three weeks it will grow into the folds and be able to hold its ears upright.
At the young age of two weeks old it will begin to leave the burrow with mom, and is weaned at three months. The cub will stay with its mother until she gives birth to her next cub, and is capable of having its own cubs at two years old.
Conclusion
So, you’ve seen the ins and outs of owning an aardvark as a pet. It’s clear they’re not for everyone. Their unique needs and nocturnal habits require a level of commitment not typical of more common pets. You’ve heard from owners who’ve walked this path, and it’s a rewarding but challenging journey. Experts and wildlife advocates are clear – aardvarks need responsible, prepared owners ready for a long-term commitment. You’re now armed with the knowledge to make an informed decision. Remember, it’s not just about whether aardvarks make good pets, but whether you can provide the care and lifestyle they need. If you’re up for the challenge, you might just find an extraordinary friend in an aardvark. But if not, there are plenty of other animals out there that can make a perfect addition to your family.
Are aardvarks good pets? Owning exotic animals like aardvarks requires careful consideration of their specific needs and legal restrictions. National Geographic explains that aardvarks have complex dietary and environmental requirements that are challenging to meet in a typical household. Additionally, World Wildlife Fund emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal implications and ethical responsibilities involved in keeping exotic animals, advocating for their protection in natural habitats.
Q1: What are some unique features of aardvarks?
Aardvarks are unique creatures known for their nocturnal habits, specialized diet, and communication methods. They are solitary animals and require specific conditions to thrive.
Q2: Are aardvarks suitable pets?
While aardvarks are fascinating animals, they may not be suitable pets for everyone. This is due to their rigorous care requirements, their nocturnal lifestyle, and their need for a specialized diet.
Q3: What are the challenges of keeping aardvarks as pets?
The challenges of keeping aardvarks as pets include lifestyle compatibility issues, the animals’ longevity, commitment requirements, and their need for solitary living conditions.
Q4: What insights do experts offer about owning aardvarks as pets?
Experts and wildlife advocates emphasize that owning an aardvark requires responsible ownership, extensive preparation, and long-term commitment, stressing the rigorous care requirements and understanding the aardvark’s nature.
Q5: What is the significant responsibility of owning an aardvark?
The article highlights the significant responsibility in owning an aardvark such as understanding their specific needs and providing them with the appropriate care, conditions, and diet. They stress that this is not a decision to be taken lightly.
