About the Author

Sean Zeederberg

Blog Editor

As a young boy growing up on an agricultural farm in Zimbabwe, Sean spent every opportunity entertaining himself outdoors, camping in the local nature reserve and learning about all facets of the natural world. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental ...

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44 Comments

on Why are Aardvarks so Rare to See?

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Dina Petridis
Senior Digital Ranger

we still have to see one after 26 safari !

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Dina, I am also yet to see one, so fingers crossed for us both to see one soon

Francesca Doria
Master Tracker

Such an interesting intriguing animal. It would be very nice to see one or even better a family

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

They are fascinating animals, and so seeing one would be truly amazing. They mostly move around by themselves but seeing a mother and her youngster would be special.

Victoria Auchincloss
Master Tracker

i have heard of aardvarks but never seen one live. Even a zoo they are mostly asleep and hiding. Cery interesting! Thankyou for the great pictures and the headline with the wild dog puppies. Glad they are all well for the moment. Victoria

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Victoria, Yes they most likely will only move around at night, even in a zoo. It is such a relief out the wild dog puppies, and we hope they continue to do well.

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Sean, what a wonderful blog, I haven’t seen Aardvark in Londolozi🤗

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Thank you Joan, I hope you get to see one soon.

Vin Beni
Guest contributor

Hey Sean! After we left you last July, we went to Tswalu Kalahari where we saw several aardvark, They were every skittish, exactly as you described. Be well!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Vinny, I hope you are keeping well. That is amazing that you got to see a few aardvarks. The Kalahari is known to have higher numbers of aardvarks and the terrain is better suited to viewing them there. Keep well and hopefully see you soon.

Eugene Dopheide
Digital Ranger

Very useful information Sean, thank you.

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

You are most welcome Eugene.

Mary Beth Wheeler
Guest contributor

Right up there with a pangolin…!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Yes indeed right up there with a pangolin, although we at least have seen pangolins around here.

Kara Taylor
Master Tracker

An Aardvark is something I would love to see. They’re just so unusual. I always hope on the way back from night drives we might be lucky. I can’t believe no one there has seen one!! Wow – that’s it – time to start night time Aardvark walks, LOL.

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Aardvarks are really unusual animals. It would be so amazing to see one on the way home at the end of an afternoon drive.

Charles Siegel
Explorer

It is amazing how animals over long periods of time adapt to their surroundings.

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Most of the animals have all adapted to perfectly suit their surrounding and each have a role to play out here.

Barbi Evenson
Senior Digital Ranger

All I can say is that our creator had an Incredible imagination beyond all others and a purpose for us all… how lucky we are to see such a unique creature!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Yes indeed, an imagination that baffles us all.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Aardvarks, rather like the pangolin- so elusive one barely believes they really exist. I appreciate the details you provided related to their physical characteristics and habits. Perhaps one day you’ll see one- put it on your bucket list!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Thanks Denise, I am sure with enough time being spent out here I will eventually get to see one.

Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Seeing an Aardvark is definetely on my bucket list. Interesting blog Sean.

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Thanks Marinda

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Hi Sean. We used to often go to Mabula Game Lodge in the Waterberg as we had timeshare there. We saw Aardvark twice. The first time was actually around 4h30 in the afternoon. He was snuffling around and took no notice of the Landrover at all. We watched him for about 15 – 20 mins. Most interesting! Reminds me of Piglet in the stories of Christopher Robin. Thanks so much for the article and pics! Wendy M

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Wendy, that is amazing that you got to see one and it was so relaxed. I guess it had probably been exposed to vehicles more often or was a bit more comfortable to be out in the open during the day. They definitely do have a slight resemblance of Piglet.

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

Great article on Aardvarks. Maybe one day…. Good luck

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Thanks Christa, maybe one day if I am lucky.

Lisa Antell
Master Tracker

Saw one at night very briefly in Botswana in July 2019. Better yet, saw 2 from a distance in early evening (daylight) in Namibia in Aug 2019. They definitely are easier to find in the desert during daylight hours in the winter! WildEarth has had several sightings recently on their live drives at Tswalu in the Kalahari!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Lisa, yes the desert terrain makes spotting them slightly easier. On top of that, temperatures get so cold for them at night there that often they will move around closer to sunset and in the first few hours of the night then crawl down into the warmth of a burrow before it gets too cold in the early hours of the morning.

Patrick Smyth
Explorer

Well written story. What’s going on with the puppies? How many survived? I saw some mention of a blog telling about them all. When will that come out?

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Thanks Patrick. We had released a story with an update on the pups but are sure to put out a blog on giving some more detail very soon.

Michael and Terri Klauber
Guest contributor

Sean, What a great post. You are right! They are hard to find (alive at least!) A few years ago we sighted one on a tree like at Londolozi that with James T. Same ending for the one we saw that day…. Hope you are well and enjoying the freedom to explore!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Michael and Terri. They are very difficult to see. I am very well thank you. It is truly special to still be here but is definitely keeping us very busy. I hope you are keeping well and healthy.

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Fascinating information! It’s great to have a “holy grail” type of sighting to look for and forward to!!

Sean Zeederberg
Blog Editor

Hi Paul, It is those “holy grail” sighting that keeps most guides going for such long periods.

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Trish Monck
Master Tracker

One of the very interesting beauties I hope to see soon!

Trish Monck
Master Tracker

Still have not seen one, that’s why I must keep going on safari! : )

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

ardvark are ecologically relevant in that they are Keystone species who by their normal way of life create opportunity/shelter or increase resource partition for other species.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Aardvark eyes play important adaptation role.Excellent analysis of the eyes role.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Aardvark nocturnal activity cycle is this perhaps an adaptation to enhance survival and dietary preference.They seemingly have been specially configured to be brilliant earth engineers per say.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Aardvark dentition is another intresting area as well.Their digestive system set up too.These shy evasive members of society seemingly have perfected the art of invisibility.

Ashely Ndebele
Senior Digital Ranger

Its thanks to such shy , evasive species that give the African wilderness a reason to be visited over & ever again.

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