Why are aardvarks generally absent from dense rainforests within their African range?

Answer

Rainforest environments may inhibit the construction of termite mounds or limit the availability of their key insect prey.

The distribution of the aardvark, while broad across sub-Saharan Africa spanning from the south to parts of West Africa, is patchy and conditional. Their survival is critically dependent on two main factors: the presence of suitable soil that allows for the necessary digging of shelters and exploratory tunnels, and a consistent supply of ants and termites. Dense rainforests often fail to meet one or both of these criteria, as the environment may inhibit the construction of large, hardened termite mounds or generally reduce the abundance and accessibility of their specialized insect food sources compared to savannas and grasslands.

Why are aardvarks generally absent from dense rainforests within their African range?

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