Why do aardvarks eat ants?

"Hey! You seen any ants around here?"

Ants and termites often live in large numbers and are a nutritious food source, if you can get enough of them. The aardvark, which is from Africa, is just one species that has become highly adapted to this diet. Their sharp claws and powerful limbs are well suited to breaking into termite mounds and ant hills, while their long, sticky tongues are perfect for catching these little insects. They also have a specialised stomach which helps to grind up their prey.

Answered by Rebecca Machin Curatorial assistant of Natural Sciences at The Manchester Museum.