An aarwolf is an African carnivore generally placed in the family Hyaenidae but separated by some authorities as the family Protelidae.
The aardwolf, whose name in Afrikaans means "earth wolf," resembles a small striped hyena.
The aardwolf lives on the open, grassy plains of southern and eastern Africa. There are two geographically separate populations, one centred in South Africa and the other extending from central Tanzania northward to southern Egypt.
The aardwolf feeds largely on termites.
The aadwolf is nocturnal, lives in a burrow, and is usually solitary but may forage in small packs.
The aardwolf is harmless and shy; when attacked, as by dogs, it emits a musky-smelling fluid and may fight.