Zoos & Captivity

Zoo Aardvark Welfare

Aardvarks are nocturnal, fossorial insectivores that present unique welfare challenges in captivity, requiring specialist housing, diet and behavioural management.

Key Facts

Aardvarks are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are the sole member of the order Tubulidentata
They feed almost exclusively on ants and termites, consuming up to 50,000 insects per night in the wild
Aardvarks are powerful diggers and can excavate burrows within minutes, making secure enclosure essential
Captive aardvarks frequently suffer from nutritional problems when diets are not carefully formulated
Their nocturnal schedule means standard zoo visiting hours are misaligned with their active periods

Welfare Considerations

Aardvarks in captivity face welfare challenges related to diet, behaviour and temporal management. Their insectivore diet is difficult to replicate adequately, and many captive individuals show signs of nutritional deficiency. Their strong digging drive is a powerful motivational need that must be accommodated. Reversed lighting schedules that shift aardvarks to daytime activity should be introduced gradually if at all, to avoid chronic circadian disruption.

What You Can Do

Visit zoos with nocturnal houses that allow observation of aardvarks in appropriate low-light environments
Support zoos that invest in specialist insectivore diet formulation for aardvarks
Advocate for EEP (European Endangered Species Programme) standards to include detailed welfare provisions
Support research into aardvark behaviour and husbandry that improves captive welfare
Donate to African conservation organisations that protect aardvark habitat from degradation