What acute sense allows the aardvark to detect insect colonies deep beneath the soil surface?
Answer
Sense of smell
The primary sensory tool for locating prey that is hidden deep underground is the aardvark's acute sense of smell. This highly developed olfactory capability enables the creature to detect the subtle chemical signatures released by large colonies of ants or termites, even when they are buried beneath layers of hard earth. Once this scent trail or colony signature is identified, the aardvark directs its powerful digging efforts precisely to that location, minimizing wasted energy. While hearing is also vital for detecting subterranean movement once a breach is initiated, the initial detection and targeting rely heavily on smell.
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