The animal park is the only center in Spain for scientifically controlled breeding within the international program for the conservation of the little-known aardvark. This new success, along with the births of rhinoceroses, chimpanzees, and elephants, reinforces BIOPARC Valencia's commitment to nature preservation and promoting awareness of our planet's rich biodiversity. At one month old, the unusual "baby" is developing optimally, cared for by its mother and under the supervision of specialized staff, and can already be seen in its burrow in the area that recreates the subterranean life of the savanna.
A snout like a pig's, rabbit ears, a tail like a kangaroo's, dinosaur claws, and a sticky tongue. That's what it is. BIOPARC Valencia's oricteropo “baby”, which has already reached its first month of lifeThe effort to defend biodiversity bears fruit in the park with the offspring of such emblematic species as rhinoceros, elephants or chimpanzees, which can be seen with their groups.
And this new birth confirms the commitment of the Valencian park to conservation. Orycteropus afer, also called an aardvark. In fact, it is home to the only scientifically controlled breeding pair in Spain within the international program for the preservation of this little-known African species.
The aardvark "baby" is progressing very positively.
With the aim of offering the maximum well-being The technical team kept the installation hidden from the newborn and its mother. And, with its optimal development confirmed, the time has come to unveil the curious enclosure that faithfully replicates a burrow habitat. Undoubtedly, this is great news for all those who wish to observe this unique animal up close, as well as understand its behavior and follow its growth at BIOPARC Valencia. Its progress is very positive; it is feeding on its mother's milk and has reached a weight that It practically reaches 4,5 kg.
The staff responsible for their care monitors and continues the assistance protocol This includes a thorough twice-daily check-up to clean, weigh, and moisturize his delicate skin. To allow the whole family to rest as much as possible, the father stays in the adjacent enclosure, with his usual access to the outside area at night. It is not yet possible to determine whether it is male or female since it has internal genitalia at birth.
The aardvark or anteater, a “strange” mammal
This mammal is one of the ones that most surprises the BIOPARC public because its unique physiognomy Its most striking feature is its incredibly strong claws, which act like shovels, allowing it to dig large burrows with the power and speed of several people. Furthermore, it is the only living mammal with a unique rootless tooth structure called Tubulidentata.
Another of its most striking physical features is its sticky tongue, which can grow up to 30 cm long. It uses it to catch ants and termites, which form the basis of its diet along with other insects. It is nocturnal., sleeps soundly and peacefully during the day in his hiding place.
The burrows of the aardvark
The immense caves built by aardvarks, with their multitude of tunnels, are also used as a refuge by other species that do not have this burrowing ability. This extraordinary ecosystem is recreated at BIOPARC Valencia to allow the observation of some truly strange creatures like the naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber), the elephant shrew (Macroscelides proboscideus), the long-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), the largest snake in Africa, which is the African python (Python sebae) or the smallest carnivore on the same continent, the dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula undulatus).
BIOPARC Valencia has become a benchmark center for the protection of the aardvark.It is included on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Following this latest arrival, there are now eleven offspring born since the opening.
