Orycteropus afer © OpenCage
Molar mill of a massive myrmecophage
The capybara of South America and the aardvark of Africa – both of which weigh about as much as the average woman – are the largest living animals with ever-growing molars. In the case of the capybara this distinction is hardly surprising, given that ever-growing molars occur in all other members of the cavy family and various other grazing rodents. However, in the case of the aardvark, the distinction is particularly surprising given that mammals specialising on a diet of termites and ants are not expected to have molars at all – let alone extremely durable ones.
Robin and the Honey Badger, 8 January 2017
Photographs:
Orycteropus afer
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
