Proteles cristata
aardwolf

Aardwolves, Proteles cristata, occur solely on the continent of Africa. There are two separate populations. One population is found in southern Africa (including the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, southern Zambia, and southwestern Mozambique). The other northern population ranges from central Tanzania through northeastern Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, along the coast of Ethiopia and Sudan, and the southeastern tip of Egypt. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

Prime habitat for P. cristata consists of open grassland plains and scrub regions. This species can also be found in savanna and rocky habitats, but not in forest or pure desert areas. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

The size of P. cristata helps to separate it from its closest relatives, subfamily Hyaeninae or hyaenas. Proteles cristata is significantly smaller than all other hyenas with a body length of 850 to 1050 mm, tail length of 200 to 300 mm, and a shoulder height of 450 to 500 mm. Adult weights between 8 and 14 kg have been reported. There is no sexual dimorphism in the body size of P. cristata. They also have five digits on the front foot, which contrasts with the four digits on the feet of the other members of the family Hyaenidae. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

Coat base color can range from yellow-white to buff or rufous. Patterns usually consist of three vertical black stripes on the body, one to two black diagonal stripes across the forequarters and hindquarters, and many horizontal black stripes on the legs which grade into solid colored feet. Underparts and neck are usually paler gray-white. Black spots and stripes can also be present on the neck. Facial hair is very short and gray. The muzzle lacks hair and is gray-black in color. Proteles cristata has a dense undercoat with coarse guard hairs. It also has a black mane extending from head to tail which can be erected to make the individual appear larger when threatened. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

Proteles cristata has strong jaws and canine teeth, but its cheek teeth have been reduced to pegs, and can vary in number. Ears and eyes are very large for the animal's size. It has a very broad tongue and produces sticky saliva used in myrmecophagy. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999; Richardson, 1987)

In captivity the average lifespan is 13 years. In the wild, it is thought to be greatly reduced due to stress factors and predation, but the average lifespan in the wild has not been documented. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

Proteles cristata is primarily nocturnal. However, during the winter these carnivores switch to diurnal activity. This behavior follows the activity pattern of their food source, which is termites.

Proteles cristata lives in solitary monogamous pairs in territories that are fiercely guarded and range in size from one to four km². An intruder may be advanced upon or chased by either sex; if a confrontation occurs, the individuals will drop down on their front knees and bite the other's neck.

To distinguish territory boundaries, P. cristata produces scent marks by rubbing secretions from the anal glands on grass stalks at approximately 50 m intervals around the perimeter of their territory. This is followed by intermittent markings in the interior of the territory. Both the male and female scent-mark, but males do it more frequently. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

Aardwolves have areas that are designated for urination and defecation spread throughout their territories. These areas are called middens. Individuals dig a hole in the midden each time they visit it to urinate or defecate. After urination or defecation is completed, the hole is covered up by the individual. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990)

Proteles cristata is a solitary forager. Even within mated pairs, individuals forage away from one another. The unweaned young are the only individuals that will be tolerated to accompany an adult when foraging. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990)

Home Range

These animals occupy territories between 1 and 4 km2 in size.

Proteles cristata demonstrates several types of communication. Vocal communication is limited and generally directed at intruders or predators. It consists of a clucking sound, made by opening and closing the mouth, a deep growl, or a roar. Visual signals in communication include erection of the mane or active chasing, both also directed at intruders or predators. Tactile communication occurs in social interactions in the form of nose-sniffing, mating, and caring for the young. Scent-marking is also done to establish territory boundaries. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999)

Proteles cristata is strictly insectivorous, with termites from the genus Trinervitermes being their major food source during the warmer months and those from the genus Hodotermes being their major food source in the winter months.

Unlike most other myrmecophagous mammals, P. cristata does not dig into the termite mounds. It waits for the termites to come out onto the surface of the soil before eating them. Using a very broad, sticky tongue, aardwolves lick the termites off of the ground. A single aardwolf can consume up to 300,000 termites in one night. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson and Bearder, 1999; Richardson, 1987)

The main predators of P. cristata are black-backed jackals, which will kill cubs or an unwary adult. Unfortunately, P. cristata is also hit by vehicles, is sometimes fed upon by the indigenous people of the area, and is occasionally shot by farmers who think that they are responsible for the deaths of their livestock. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990)

The only known role P. cristata plays in the ecosystem is the control of termites. To the extent that they serve as prey for other animals, they may also impact local foodwebs more widely.

There are no known adverse affects of P. cristata on humans, although they are sometimes shot by local ranchers who fear that they prey upon livestock. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990)

Each individual can consume up to 300,000 termites in one night. These termites can be devastating to farms, especially in the dry season. (Koehler and Richardson, 1990; Richardson, 1987)

Proteles cristata is not currently listed by any conservation groups as threatened or endangered.

Aardwolves were previously recognized as Proteles cristatus.