Ask Difference

Aardvark vs. Armadillo — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 6, 2024
Aardvarks are nocturnal mammals from Africa, known for eating ants and termites, while armadillos, native to the Americas, have bony plates.
Aardvark vs. Armadillo — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Aardvark and Armadillo

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Differences

Aardvarks are solitary mammals found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. They are characterized by their long snouts, which they use to sniff out their primary food source: ants and termites. Armadillos, on the other hand, are recognized by their distinctive armor, made up of bony plates covering part of their bodies.
Aardvarks have a peculiar appearance, with rabbit-like ears and a kangaroo-like tail, which aids in their distinctive look. Armadillos are also found in a variety of habitats, ranging from rainforests to grasslands across the Americas.
Aardvarks are nocturnal, spending their nights foraging for food and their days resting in burrows. This lifestyle helps them avoid the heat of the African sun and reduces the risk of predation. Armadillos also exhibit unique behaviors, including the ability to roll into a ball when threatened, a defense mechanism specific to the three-banded armadillo.
Both aardvarks and armadillos play significant roles in their ecosystems. Aardvarks act as natural pest controllers by consuming large numbers of termites and ants. Their burrowing behavior also contributes to soil aeration and the creation of habitats for other animals. Armadillos, with their digging habits, similarly impact soil composition and help control insect populations.

Comparison Chart

Habitat

Sub-Saharan Africa
Americas
ADVERTISEMENT

Defense

Burrowing
Bony armor

Diet

Ants and termites
Insects, small vertebrates, plant matter

Behavior

Nocturnal, solitary
Varied, some nocturnal and solitary

Physical Traits

Long snout, rabbit-like ears
Bony plates, capable of rolling into a ball (some species)

Role in Ecosystem

Pest control, soil aeration
Soil composition, pest control

Taxonomic Order

Tubulidentata
Cingulata

Compare with Definitions

Aardvark

Solitary animals that live in burrows they dig themselves.
The aardvark retreated to its burrow at dawn.

Armadillo

A mammal known for its protective bony armor, native to the Americas.
The armadillo curled into a ball to protect itself from the predator.

Aardvark

A nocturnal mammal native to Africa, feeding primarily on ants and termites.
The aardvark used its long snout to sniff out a termite mound.

Armadillo

Some species can transmit leprosy to humans.
Researchers study armadillos to understand the transmission of leprosy.

Aardvark

Plays a role in controlling insect populations and aerating the soil.
Aardvarks are beneficial to their ecosystems by consuming termites.

Armadillo

Engages in behaviors such as digging, impacting soil composition.
The armadillo's digging habits help aerate the soil.

Aardvark

Known for its distinctive body shape and large ears.
The aardvark's ears perked up at the sound of a predator.

Armadillo

Eats a varied diet, including insects and small vertebrates.
The armadillo foraged through the underbrush, looking for food.

Aardvark

Characterized by strong legs and sharp claws for digging.
Using its powerful legs, the aardvark quickly excavated a burrow.

Armadillo

Exhibits unique defensive behaviors, like rolling into a ball.
The three-banded armadillo can roll into a perfect ball when threatened.

Aardvark

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.

Armadillo

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.

Aardvark

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

Armadillo

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.

Aardvark

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.

Armadillo

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.

Aardvark

The nocturnal, insectivorous, burrowing, mammal Orycteropus afer, of the order Tubulidentata, somewhat resembling a pig, common in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
The aardvark burrows in the ground and feeds mostly on termites, which it catches with its long, slimy tongue.

Armadillo

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

Aardvark

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.

Armadillo

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.

Aardvark

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

Armadillo

Burrowing chiefly nocturnal mammal with body covered with strong horny plates

Common Curiosities

How do armadillos protect themselves from predators?

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

What is the primary diet of aardvarks?

Aardvarks primarily eat ants and termites.

Can armadillos transmit diseases to humans?

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

Are aardvarks and armadillos related?

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

How do armadillos contribute to soil composition?

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

Can aardvarks and armadillos be found in the same habitats?

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

What roles do aardvarks and armadillos play in their ecosystems?

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

How do aardvarks and armadillos behave differently?

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

What makes aardvarks unique among nocturnal animals?

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

How do aardvarks and armadillos differ in physical appearance?

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

Can armadillos be kept as pets?

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

Are all armadillos capable of rolling into a ball?

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

Why are aardvarks considered beneficial to their environments?

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

Do armadillos have any natural predators?

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

What challenges do aardvarks face in the wild?

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

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Enthusiastic vs. Keen
Next Comparison
Tic vs. Tick

Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms