What is the primary defensive action an aardvark takes when threatened, rather than fleeing across open ground?
Answer
Immediate excavation into the earth
When facing a threat, the aardvark exhibits specialized behavior rooted in its subterranean adaptation. Instead of attempting to flee across exposed terrain, which is often disadvantageous against fast predators, their immediate instinct is described as mastery of excavation. They possess an astonishing ability to dig rapidly, sinking several feet below the surface in just a few minutes. This swift burrowing effectively removes them from the immediate danger zone, burying themselves out of reach of nearly all pursuers. This immediate evasion via digging serves as their primary, go-to defense mechanism.
Related Questions
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