Aardvark daytime activities detrimental to species

Researchers of the University of the Witwatersrand (UW) have examined the reasons for why aardvarks are now active during the day and how this may be detrimental to the population. This daytime wandering is becoming a regular occurrence in dry southern African countries. 

UW had worked in conjunction with the University of Cape Town and the University of Petoria to better understand what the change from nighttime to daytime active periods means for the species. Studies were performed on the aardvark population in Tswalu where body temperatures and activity periods were monitored across a 3 year period. Dr Nora Weyer completed her PhD research on this nocturnal animal using satellites in conjunction with the monitoring of this population's body temperature and activity period. 

After this study, it was confirmed that the hypothesis formed prior to the survey had been accepted. It was confirmed that the drought's that have recently become more frequent are the reason for this shift. Drought's are responsible for the death of many vegetation within this arid region which then remove a major food source for the aardvark (ant & termites). The aardvark changed their active periods from night to day so they can better conserve their energy by not having to increase their body temperature in the colder nights especially during drought periods where they don't obtain a sufficient energy source.

During the study 5 out of 6 aardvarks being monitored had died because of these unhospitable conditions. The aardvark acts as an ecosystem engineer as they provide shelter for many organisms incapable of burrowing which will create detrimental effect onto this vulnerable, unique ecosystem.

Aardvarks have been able to cope in the past with these harsh arid conditions, however, based on previous studies it is predicted that these droughts will be too much for these populations to handle.

• Yirka, B., 2017. Study Suggests Climate Change May Kill Off The Aardvark In Some Areas. [online] Phys.org. Available at: <https://phys.org/news/2017-07-climate-aardvark-areas.html> [Accessed 20 July 2020].
• ScienceDaily. 2020. Daytime Aardvark Sightings Are A Sign Of Troubled Times: Wits Researchers Find That Aardvarks Feeding In The Daytime During Droughts Might Be Starving. [online] Available at: <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200709092459.htm> [Accessed 20 July 2020].