Aardvark vs. Armadillo — What's the Difference?

Solitary animals that live in burrows they dig themselves.

A mammal known for its protective bony armor, native to the Americas.

A nocturnal mammal native to Africa, feeding primarily on ants and termites.

Some species can transmit leprosy to humans.

Plays a role in controlling insect populations and aerating the soil.

Engages in behaviors such as digging, impacting soil composition.

Known for its distinctive body shape and large ears.

Eats a varied diet, including insects and small vertebrates.

Characterized by strong legs and sharp claws for digging.

Exhibits unique defensive behaviors, like rolling into a ball.

The aardvark ( ARD-vark; Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known.

Armadillos (meaning "little armored ones" in Spanish) are New World placental mammals in the order Cingulata. The Chlamyphoridae and Dasypodidae are the only surviving families in the order, which is part of the superorder Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths.

A nocturnal badger-sized burrowing mammal of Africa, with long ears, a tubular snout, and a long extensible tongue, feeding on ants and termites.

A nocturnal insectivorous mammal that has large claws for digging and a body covered in bony plates. Armadillos are native to Central and South America and one kind is spreading into the southern US.

A burrowing mammal (Orycteropus afer) of sub-Saharan Africa, having a stocky body, large ears, a long tubular snout, and powerful digging claws for feeding on ants and termites.

Any of various omnivorous burrowing mammals of the family Dasypodidae, native to southern North America and Central and South America and characterized by an armorlike covering consisting of jointed bony plates.

The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing, mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Any of the burrowing mammals covered with bony, jointed, protective plates, order Cingulata, found in the Americas, especially in South America.

An edentate mammal, of the genus Orycteropus (Orycteropus afer), somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of Southern Africa. It is a nocturnal ungulate, burrows in the ground with its powerful claws, and feeds entirely on ants and termites, which it catches with its long, extensile, slimy tongue. It is the sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata.

Any edentate animal if the family Dasypidæ, peculiar to America. The body and head are incased in an armor composed of small bony plates. The armadillos burrow in the earth, seldom going abroad except at night. When attacked, they curl up into a ball, presenting the armor on all sides. Their flesh is good food. There are several species, one of which (the peba) is found as far north as Texas. See Peba, Poyou, Tatouay.

Nocturnal burrowing mammal of the grasslands of Africa that feeds on termites; sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata

Burrowing chiefly nocturnal mammal with body covered with strong horny plates

Armadillos have bony plates for protection, and some can roll into a ball.

Aardvarks primarily eat ants and termites.

Yes, some species of armadillo can transmit leprosy to humans.

Despite some similar behaviors, they belong to different taxonomic orders and are not closely related.

Their digging habits help aerate the soil and alter its composition.

No, aardvarks are native to Africa, whereas armadillos are found in the Americas.

Both play roles in pest control and soil aeration, though through different mechanisms.

Aardvarks are primarily nocturnal and solitary, focusing on insect diets, while armadillo behaviors can vary more widely.

Their solitary nature, diet specialized in ants and termites, and their significant role in soil aeration make them unique.

Aardvarks have long snouts and large ears, while armadillos are recognized by their bony armor.

While it's not common, some people do keep armadillos as pets, but it requires specific care and is subject to local laws.

No, only certain species like the three-banded armadillo have this ability.

By eating insects like termites, they control pest populations and contribute to soil health.

Yes, armadillos are preyed upon by larger mammals and birds of prey, despite their protective armor.

Habitat loss, predation, and climate change are significant challenges for aardvarks.