If an immediate burrow is impossible, what defensive maneuver utilizes the aardvark's thick hide?
Answer
Turning its thick-skinned posterior toward the attacker
When an aardvark is caught out and cannot immediately escape underground, its secondary defense strategy leverages its specialized anatomy. If a retreat into an existing burrow or the digging of a new one is not feasible in the moment, the animal will orient itself defensively. This involves turning its rear end toward the threat. The thick, tough skin acts as armor, and by presenting this protected area, the aardvark uses its powerful hind legs and claws to actively defend the entrance or the body itself against the biting or scratching assaults of the predator.
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