What weighs 16 pounds, has a long snout, and is wrinkly all over? The new Aardvark calf at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo!
The female calf, which was born on October 8, made her public debut on December 27. Because her mother has a history of not caring for her offspring, the calf is being hand-reared by zoo staff. She is displayed next to her parents so she can become familiar with their scent and vocalizations.
Photo Credit: Henry Doorly Zoo
Though the effort required to hand-rear an aardvark is significant, it is definitely worthwhile: only about 30 Aardvarks currently live in twelve accredited North American zoos.
Aardvarks live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, exploiting any habitat where ants and termites are available. Using their powerful front legs and claws, Aardvarks tear open insect mounds and take up thousands of ants or termites with their long sticky tongues. Though their skin appears fragile, it is in fact thick enough to withstand a flurry of ant stings or termite bites with no harm to the Aardvark.
Zoo guests are invited to enter a contest to name the calf when they visit her exhibit at the zoo.