Aardwolf Proteles Cristatus Skull

$91.00

The Aardwolf is the smallest member of the hyena family Hyaenidae. The Aardwolf is an insectivore, existing mainly on termites. Externally, Aardwolves resemble Hyenas, but their skull characteristics and dentition are very different.

Description

Aardwolf Proteles Cristatus Skull Replica measures 5.4 inches. Aardwolf Proteles Cristatus Skull is museum quality polyurethane resins. Made in USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.

Proteles cristata is a small, insectivorous mammal, native to East Africa and Southern Africa. Its name means earth wolf in the Afrikaans Dutch language.

It is also called Maanhaar jackal. The Aardwolf or Proteles cristata is in the same family as the hyenas. Their diet consists of termites and birds.

The Aardwolf or Proteles cristata resembles a very thin striped hyena, but with a more slender muzzle, black vertical stripes on a coat of yellowish fur, and a long, distinct mane down the mid-line of the neck and back.

Aardwolf or Proteles cristata also has one or two diagonal stripes down the fore and hind-quarters, along with several stripes on its legs. The mane is raised during confrontations to make the Aardwolf or Proteles cristata appear larger. Its lower leg is all black, and its tail is bushy with a black tip.

The Aardwolf or Proteles cristata is about 22 to 31 in. long, excluding its bushy tail, which is about 7.9 to 11.8 in. long, and stands about 16 to 20 in. tall at the shoulders. An adult Aardwolf or Proteles cristata weighs approximately 15 to 22 lb., sometimes reaching 33 lb.

The Aardwolf or Proteles cristata in the south of the continent tend to be smaller about 10 to 22 lb. than the eastern version around 31 lb.

The front feet have five toes each. Aardwolf or Proteles cristata teeth and skull are similar to those of other hyenas, though smaller, and its cheek teeth are specialized for eating insects. It does have canines and these teeth are used primarily for fighting and defense. Its ears are large.

The Aardwolf or Proteles cristata feeds primarily on Trinervitermes. Their technique consists of licking them off the ground as opposed to the Aardvark, which digs into the mound.

They locate their food by sound and also from the scent secreted by the soldier termites. An Aardwolf or Proteles cristata may consume up to 250,000 termites per night using its long, sticky tongue.

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Additional information

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 5.4 in
Aardwolf Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Hyaenidae
Conservation status: Least concern