See an Aardvark Try to Outrun a Hyena in This Epic Race for Survival

It’s safe to say that hyenas don’t have many friends throughout the animal kingdom. These creatures are known for stealing food and being completely obnoxious to other wildlife. Several animals avoid hyenas altogether and some even outrun them for survival. 

Check Out The High-Speed Chase 

A video from the popular wildlife YouTube channel Latest Sightings starts with a lone aardvark, also known as an aardvark, sniffing around for termite holes. With their strong forelimbs and claws, aardvarks smash open the burrows of ants and termites during the day, which they then consume with their sticky tongues. 

During a single meal, they only take in about 140 bugs from each hill. As the hunt for food distracts the animal, the safari-goers spot a hyena in the distance. In fact, there’s a pack of hyenas walking slowly with their tails down toward the aardvark. 

In the blink of an eye, the hyenas kick into full gear and head straight toward the aardvark. Just as quickly, the target bursts in the opposite direction, hoping to outrun the hungry hyena. 

Suddenly, it appears as if the aardvark has tripped making a cloud of sand rise, distracting the hyena. In reality, the sneaky aardvark dove into an underground tunnel, leaving the hyena confused with a growling stomach.

A comment on the video reads: “Who knew they could run like that!? Or find the hole with such precision. Absolute genius.”

The footage continues with the hyena attempting to paw at the hole in hopes of digging its target out. Alas, it gives up and will likely try to steal from a lion in order to eat. The tourists are shocked the aardvark was able to outrun the hyena.

How Fast Are Aardvarks?

The popular Olympic runner Usain Bolt can run up to 28 miles per hour. Aardvarks can reach 26 miles per hour, just two miles an hour slower than the impressive athlete. In hopes of survival, these creatures can also dig a two-foot-deep hole in roughly 30 seconds! 

Aardvarks are solitary, nocturnal creatures that pass the daytime safely hidden inside their burrows before coming out to eat in the middle of the day or shortly thereafter.  Surprisingly, hyenas aren’t one of their primary predators. Aardvarks are mostly preyed upon by lions, leopards, and snakes. 

How Fast Are Hyenas?

Hyenas aren’t the quickest creatures in Africa, but they aren’t snails either. Spotted hyenas and their kin can run at speeds of at least 37 miles per hour. Hyenas have remarkable stamina and can run quickly for long distances without getting tired.

One aspect that makes hyenas among the most adaptable carnivores on Earth is their speed. Their top speed is between 40 and 45 miles per hour. Had the aardvark not dug itself a hole, the hyena could’ve easily caught up. 

Is It Normal Behavior for Hyenas to Target Aardvarks?

The camera footage you witnessed is rare, as there are not many documented instances where hyenas have been witnessed attempting to prey upon aardvarks. The main evidence researchers have found that proves they do eat aardvarks on occasion is the study of the hyena’s scat. However, hyenas are more prone to target larger prey while hunting in packs, which include wildebeests, zebras, Cape buffalo, and juvenile rhinos.

Aardvarks are generally nocturnal, usually sleeping safely underground in the light of day. However, as observed in the video, they can come out in the daytime as well. The main predators an aardvark must beware of are cheetahs, leopards (who hunt at night), lions (who also hunt at night), African wild dogs, and pythons.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Daniel Danckwerts/Shutterstock.com