The aardwolf is an insectivorous hyaenid species, native to East and Southern Africa. Its name means "earth-wolf" in Afrikaans and Dutch. It is also called the maanhaar-jackal, termite-eating hyena and civet hyena, based on its habit of secreting substances from its anal gland, a characteristic shared with the African civet.
Aardwolf
Dorsal and ventral aspect of skull
Skeleton
Aardwolf with tongue exposed. Note the prominent papillae
An insectivore is a carnivorous animal or plant that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which can also refer to the human practice of eating insects.
This aardwolf skull exhibits greatly reduced molars and carnassials teeth as they are unnecessary for any large, insectivorous animal subsisting on soft insects such as termites. The dentition of a shrew is very different. The aardwolf uses its canine teeth in self-defence (and, occasionally, in digging[citation needed]); accordingly, the canines have not been greatly reduced.
A robber fly eating a hoverfly
The giant anteater, a large insectivorous mammal
Drosera species