Brief description of the earth pig. The aardvark is up to 2 m 6 ft long, including the fleshy, tapering tail, which it uses to throw earth backward when it burrows. It has an arched back, a tubular snout, and large, upright ears. The aardvark uses its specialized, chiselshaped claws to break open the hard clay of termite nests; then it uses its sticky tongue to capture the insects in the nest. Unlike the animals known as anteaters, which are toothless, the aardvark has 20 cylindrical, rootless teeth that grow continually throughout its lifetime. The female gives birth to a single offspring, which digs its own burrow at the age of six months. Although timid, the aardvark will fight when it cannot flee or burrow to safety; lying on its back, it defends itself with its powerful claws.

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