Definition

A type of mammal found in southern and eastern Africa that looks like a hyena. It has gray fur with black stripes and primarily eats termites and insect larvae.

Example

The aardwolf is known for its unique diet, primarily consisting of termites.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of an aardwolf?

No, I haven't! What is it?

It's a unique animal that looks a bit like a hyena and eats mostly insects.

That sounds interesting! I love learning about unusual animals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'aardwolf' comes from Afrikaans, where 'aard' means 'earth' (from Dutch 'aarde') and 'wolf' means 'wolf' (from Old English 'wulf'). The aardwolf is thus named for its burrowing habits, as it is a type of hyena that primarily feeds on insects and lives in burrows.

Memory Tip

Think of 'earth' ('aard') and 'wolf' to remember that an aardwolf is a creature that lives in the earth like a wolf.

Visually Confused Words