The name aardvark comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch term meaning “earth pig”. This name is very fitting as the aardvark resembles a medium to large size pig and is an accomplished burrower. Aardvarks are considered a keystone species by some biologists because so many other animals are heavily reliant on their burrows for shelter.
The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is the only living representative of an entire order of animals, the Tubulidentata.