ABALONE

Marine mollusk, genus Haliotis, having a saucer-shaped shell, up to 7 inches (17,78 cm) across. The shell is often lined with highly colored mother-of-pearl. Abalone is found in most temperate seas except the western Atlantic. The shell protects the animal as it glides over rocks near the shore in search of seaweed, its main food item. When frightened, the abalone clings tightly to a rock and because of its dome-shaped shell it is extremely difficult to remove. The shell is often used in jewelry and craftwork; the animal itself is much sought for as a seafood delicacy.

AARDWOLF [ärd’wŏŏlf]

South African carnivore, Proteles cristata, a member of the hyena family. It has striped coat and bristly mane and is rarely more than 40 inches (101.6 cm) long and 20 inches (50.8 cm) high. A creature of the plains and bush country, the aardwolf feeds at night, sleeping troughout the daytime in the abandoned dens of other animals. Its diet consist almost entirely of termites. When frightened, it releases a foul smelling fluid from its anal glands.

AARDVARK [ärd’värk]

Mammal of the order Tubulidentata, characterized by heavy build, sparse hair, and a long piglike snout, terminating in rounded nostrils. The single species, Orycteropus capensis, is restricted to South Africa. The food of the aardvark consist primarily of termites, which it catches with a long, sticky tongue. Its strong claws are effective digging tools, employed to construct long underground burrows in which the animal sleeps during the day. It emerges during the evening in order to feed.