Aardwolf

Quick meaning: Aardwolf is a noun meaning A nocturnal, insectivorous mammal (Proteles cristatus), having yellowish fur with vertical black stripes, and a long mane down the midline of the neck and back; it is related to and resembles the hyena, and is native to eastern and southern Africa.

Meaning

A nocturnal, insectivorous mammal (Proteles cristatus), having yellowish fur with vertical black stripes, and a long mane down the midline of the neck and back; it is related to and resembles the hyena, and is native to eastern and southern Africa.

Example Sentences

Aardwolfs are widespread, though seldom seen. They inhabit open country, from arid scrub to moister, high-altitude grasslands.

Hyenas evolved in Eurasia during the Miocene from ferret-like ancestors. […] Today the only dog-like hyena is Africa's termite-eating aardwolf.

There is a very pretty little hyæna to be found up in these localities, called by the natives "aard-wolf," and by the colonists "strand wolf;" it is about the size of a jackal, possesses a bright fawn-coloured coat, handsomely marked with black lines.

Just as hyenas have developed a stomach capable of handling just about any biological material (rotten flesh, bone etc) so aardwolfs have developed a super powerful digestive system capable of handling tough harvester termites and all the poisons they can produce.

Word Forms

• aardwolves
• aardwolfs
• aard-wolf

Synonyms for aardwolf

Depending on context, synonyms include earthwolf, maanhaar-jackal.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include aard-wolf, earthwolf, strandwolf, aardvark, hyaenid, erdvark.

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