Leptorycteropus (SciiFii)

The lesser aardvark (Leptorycteropus africanus) is a species of primitive aardvark, most closely related to the greater aardvark (Orycteropus afer), that originally lived in Africa during the Miocene as an extinct species, Leptorycteropus guilielmi, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, scrublands, and deserts across Africa to help boost biodiversity. The lesser aardvark is vaguely pig-like in appearance, much like the greater aardvark. Its body is stout with a prominently arched back and is sparsely covered with coarse hairs. The limbs are of moderate length, with the rear legs being longer than the forelegs. The front feet have lost the pollex (or 'thumb'), resulting in four toes, while the rear feet have all five toes. Each toe bears a large, robust nail which is somewhat flattened and shovel-like, and appears to be intermediate between a claw and a hoof. The lesser aardvark is the smallest living aardvark, with its length being usually around 45 centimetres (1.4 feet), excluding its 20 centimeter (7.8 inch) long tail, and its weight is typically about 25 kilograms (55.1 lbs). A nocturnal feeder, the lesser aardvark has a more generalized and less specialized diet than the greater aardvark, due to being a very basal species of aardvark, feeding on a wider range of ants and termite species, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young. The conservation status of the lesser aardvark is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the lesser aardvark's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii