Aard

My Fursona is an aardwolf. The aardwolf is a part of the hyena family. With a weight of 8 to 14 kilograms, it is the smallest representative of the hyenas. It differs greatly from the three other hyena species in build and with its small molars. It inhabits rather dry regions in eastern and southern Africa. Aardwolves are nocturnal, their food is mainly of termites: A single aardwolf eats up to 300,000 termites per night.

Aardwolves are the smallest hyena species by far. They reach a head-torso-length of 55 to 80 centimetres, the bushy tail measures additionally 20 to 30 centimetres. Their shoulder height is 45 to 50 centimetres. The weight is subject to seasonal fluctuations and varies in southern Africa between 8 and 12 kilograms, in the east of the continent it can be up to 14 kilograms. As with all hyenas, their body type is characterized by the falling back: The front legs are longer than the hind legs, generally the legs are long and slender. The front paws are provided with five and the hind paws with four toes - with the other hyena types the first toe of the front paw is missing. Aardwolves, like all hyenas, are digitigrad (toe-goers), the toes carry strong, not retractable claws.

With their stripes they look similar to striped hyena, but half the size, and their stripes are much more regular. Along the back a long mane runs from the head to the tail. These hairs can be up to 20 centimetres long at the shoulders. With danger or threat, aardwolves can raise their mane, so that they appear larger. The snout contains a very long, spatula-shaped tongue. The salivary glands produce large amounts of sticky saliva.

No one knows how aardwolves find their meal - probably with the the huge ears, maybe with their scenting ability.