Aardvarks

Aardvarks are a species of animal native to the Pride Lands. They are burrowing animals who feed on fruits and grubs, and are preyed upon by hyenas.
==History==
===Conflict with Reirei's pack===
On the day of the Kupatana celebration, Reirei's sons slept in the aardvark dens. Muhangus demanded an explanation, and Beshte assured him that the situation would be handled. However, Goigoi ate one of Muhangus's fruits, and Muhanga accused the jackals of theft. Before the situation could escalate further, the Lion Guard confronted the jackals and convinced them to leave the aardvarks alone. Despite their promises of peace, the jackals continued to steal from the Pride Landers, including the aardvarks.
That evening, both Muhangus and Muhanga attended the Kupatana celebration. In the midst of the ceremony, the jackals attacked the Pride Landers, who banded together to fight them off.
===Perceived hyena attack===
One night, Muhangus and Muhanga mistook a pack of aardwolves for hyenas. They appealed to the Lion Guard for help, and Kion used the Roar of the Elders to banish the supposed intruders from the aardvark dens. Later, Simba informed the Lion Guard that aardwolves liked to sleep in aardvark dens, and the Lion Guard realized their mistake.
===Fire at Muhangus's den===
When Bunga, Kiara, Kion, Tiifu, and Zuri were playing in a mud pot, Muhangus emerged from his den and complained about the noise. Later, the friends fled a fire and got lost underground. In an attempt to find their way out, Bunga and Kion appealed to Muhangus for help. Initially, he refused to assist them, but when Bunga threatened to remain in his den forever, he begrudgingly agreed to the task.
While following Muhangus out of the tunnels, the friends ran into Thurston, who panicked at the thought of being underground. Terrified of a cave-in, Muhangus dug a hole and abandoned the cubs to their fate.
===Scar's attack on Mizimu Grove===
Several aardvarks attended Makini's mpando mpaya ceremony at Mizimu Grove. However, during the ceremony, Scar's army attacked the gathered Pride Landers. In the midst of the chaos, Scar himself appeared in the flames and threatened to overtake the Pride Lands. Once Scar had vanished, the Pride Landers panicked and debated whether they should leave the kingdom or not.
The next morning, the Pride Landers gathered at Pride Rock to announce their decisions to Simba. Before they could do so, Kion led them to Mizimu Grove and showed them that Makini's baobab seed had survived the attack. This inspired them to remain in the Pride Lands and resist Scar's terrorism.
==Physical characteristics==
The aardvark is a four-legged species of moderate size. It generally sports long ears, an elongated snout, a fur-less tail, and sharp digging claws. Most aardvarks have brown pelts, with lighter fur along their chests and muzzles, and darker fur on their legs.
==Sociocultural characteristics==
Aardvarks live in underground burrows and feed on fruits and grubs. They can be quite territorial and do not take lightly to intrusions or other animals stealing their food. Hyenas are known to prey upon aardvarks.
==Notable aardvarks==
* Muhanga
* Muhangus
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
* In the January 1990 draft of The Lion King, an aardvark named Daabi served as a close friend of Simba's. She and her cousin aardvarks participated in the final battle against Scar.
* During early production of The Lion King, aardvarks participated in the scrapped "To Be King" song.
==References==
Category:Canon articles
Category:Species