Chrysti the Wordsmith > Radio Scripts

Most of us are acquainted with the word aardvark not from safari sightings nor zoo-viewings, but from its conspicuous double: the "a" place on the first pages of dictionaries and encyclopedias. And the first illustration in these books is generally of an aardvark -- an odd, humped-up creature with a tubular snout and rabbity ears.

This African mammal is also equipped with powerful claws for excavating of termite mounds in search of its favorite food. When it locates a rich vein of termites, the aardvark laps them up with its sticky, 18-inch tongue.

Aardvarks are protected against termite attacks by the ability to seal their nostrils, which are further buttressed by a fringe of stiff bristles. Shy and nocturnal, the aardvarks spend the daylight hours in underground dens.

The name of this creature comes to English from Afrikaans, a language spoken in South Africa by the descendants of 17th century Dutch immigrants. The animal's subterranean habits, coupled with its swine-like appearance suggested the name aardvark, Afrikaans for "earth-pig."

The aardwolf, another denizen of Southern Africa, is a hyena-like creature that also raids termite mounds for food. Like the aardvark, this animal is nocturnal and burrow-dwelling, earning for itself the Afrikaaner name aardwolf, "earth-wolf."

Radio Script > Aardvark / Aardwolf