Jan 12

The South African Electronic Warfare Association

Aardvark

Roost

Message from the President

January 2012

Why the Aardvark?

People have asked and others probably also wonder why of all the magnificent animals and birds we find in South Africa, the South African Chapter of the AOC selected to be called the Aardvark Roost!

Compared to the mighty elephant, the agile and stealthy leopard, the deadly mamba, the proud and powerful martial eagle or the graceful and elegant springbuck to name a few, the Aardvark appears to be a rather awkward and ungainly animal.

It is further not easy to see or imagine any connection or correlation between EW and the Aardvark with its pig-like snout, ears to rival a donkey’s and kangaroo-like shape with large hind quarters and heavy tail. So why on earth are we called the Aardvark Roost??!!

Orycteropus afer or Aardvark is the only species within the Order Tubulidentata in the world and has no actual relationship with any other animal. Erdvark or Aardvark is an Afrikaans name and translated directly means “earthpig”. The name relates to their pig-like snouts and their habits of digging in and living in holes.

The Aardvark is by and large a nocturnal animal which is seldom seen. This somewhat sinister clandestine behaviour of this odd looking creature is however perhaps the first analogy the Aardvark has with EW. EW platforms also often appear quite unconventional with peculiar antenna array installations and EW operations are often also executed unobserved.

Like EW equipment, the Aardvark boasts with some very impressive and sophisticated sensors - excellent hearing with its “high gain antennas” (large ears) and an acute sense of smelling (with its huge snout). Its main diet consists mostly of ants and the Aardvark detects them beneath the ground by smelling them!

A further Aardvark - EW analogy is that both make use of highly specialised subsystems. The Aardvark’s forefeet are equipped with four very powerful claws which are used to dig for ants and termites as well as excavate holes in which they live and escape into - even in the hardest of sun baked soils.

The Aardvark’s muzzle has two slit-like nostrils which can be closed and is surrounded by hair which acts as dust filters when the Aardvark digs. The septum separating the nostrils is convoluted and not only acts as a hindrance to effectively stop the passage of debris but also creates a bigger space for sensory cells to enhance smell.

Aardvarks also have a tongue of monumental length - up to 45cm! They put this to good use by licking up more than 20,000 ants in a night!

The Aardvark like EW, is not easily defeated. It can out-dig just about any enemy once they escape into a hole. There is no way an Aardvark can be “dug out” of a hole! There is a known case where this was attempted by a researcher and his helpers, but after opening the Aardvark’s tunnel for a distance of 32 meters, they eventually had to give up!

The Aardvark might be an unknown oddball but as we shall see, they play a critical role in nature regarding the survival of many other animal species. This is another similarity it has with EW - not too many people know much about EW either, even though EW plays such a critical role in military operations, especially in support and the protection of other platforms.

ESM/ES as well as EA in the form of escort, stand-off/in jamming is mostly applied for the benefit of others. The Aardvark’s speciality i.e. digging holes from simple tunnels for short term use to the complex tunnel systems with multiple exits in which they breed and raise their young, is much appreciated by a host of other users as well.

No fewer than seventeen mammal species use them for their own shelter and protection. This includes warthog, aardwolf, black-backed and side-striped jackal, brown and spotted hyena, porcupine, pangolin, bat-eared fox, wild dog, leopard, caracal, serval and civet cats, honey badger, larger mongoose and even lions!

This is by no means where it stops as tortoises, lizards and snakes, especially the African rock python, also depends on Aardvark holes for their survival. Even birds like the African shell duck, ant-eating chats, blue and pearl-breasted swallows, grey-hooded kingfishers as well as Bohm’s and little bee-eaters are all known to make use of Aardvark holes.

The Aardvark can therefore rightly be considered a key animal species – much like EW which is an essential key capability in modern warfare!

Considering the above, the Aardvark Roost is quite a fitting name for the South African Chapter and an appropriate tribute to this unique and awkward, but essential animal.

Gerrie Radloff

(President of the Aardvark Roost)

The following sources are acknowledged:

Beat about the Bush Mammals by Trevor Carnaby.

“A is for Aardvark” by Liryn de Jager and Mark Gunn in 2011 Spring edition of Wild.

Mammals of the Southern African Sub Region by Reay H.N. Smithers.