The aardvark is vaguely pig-like in appearance.
Its body is stout with a prominently arched back and is sparsely covered with coarse hairs.
The limbs are of moderate length, with the rear legs being longer than the forelegs.
The front feet have lost the pollex (or 'thumb'), resulting in four toes, while the rear feet have all five toes. Each toe bears a large, robust nail which is somewhat flattened and shovel-like, and appears to be intermediate between a claw and a hoof. Whereas the aardvark is considered digitigrade, it appears at time to be plantigrade. This confusion happens because when it squats it stands on its soles.[22] A contributing characteristic to the burrow digging capabilities of aardvarks is an endosteal tissue called compacted coarse cancellous bone (CCCB). The stress and strain resistance provided by CCCB allows aardvarks to create their burrows,
ultimately leading to a favorable environment for plants and a variety of animals.
[23]
An aardvark's weight is typically between 60 and 80 kilograms (130–180 lb).[16] An aardvark's length is usually between 105 and 130 centimetres (3.44–4.27 ft),
and can reach lengths of 2.2 metres (7 ft 3 in) when its tail (which can be up to 70 centimetres (28 in)) is
taken into account. It is 60 centimetres (24 in) tall at the shoulder,
and has a girth of about 100 centimetres (3.3 ft).[22] It is the largest member of the proposed clade Afroinsectiphilia. The aardvark is pale yellowish-gray in color and often stained reddish-brown by soil. The aardvark's coat is thin, and the animal's primary protection is its tough skin. Its hair is short on its head and tail; however its legs tend to have longer hair.[5] The hair on the majority of its body is grouped in clusters of 3-4 hairs.[22] The hair surrounding its nostrils is dense to help filter particulate matter out as it digs.
Its tail is very thick at the base and gradually tapers.
Head
The aardvark is a rather quiet animal.However, it does make soft grunting sounds as it forages and loud grunts as it makes for its tunnel entrance.[29] It makes a bleating sound if frightened.[30] When it is threatened it will make for one of its burrows. If one is not close it will dig a new one rapidly. This new one will be
short and require the aardvark to back out when the coast is clear