Editing Aardvark (section)

===Reproduction===
[[File:Aardvarks.jpg|thumb|right|Aardvark mother and young]]
It is believed to exhibit [[Animal sexual behaviour#Polygamy|polygamous]] breeding behavior.<ref name="Lynx Edicions-2011" /> During mating, the male secures himself to the female's back using his claws, which can occasionally result in noticeable scratches.<ref name="Lynx Edicions-2011" /> Males play no role on parental care.<ref name="Lynx Edicions-2011" />

Aardvarks pair only during the breeding season; after a [[gestation]] period of seven months,<ref name="EoM" /> one cub weighing around {{convert|1.7|-|1.9|kg|lb}}<ref name="UR" /> is born during May–July.<ref name="Colliers" /> When born, the young has flaccid ears and many wrinkles. When nursing, it will nurse off each teat in succession.<ref name="UR6" /> After two weeks, the folds of skin disappear and after three, the ears can be held upright.<ref name="UR6" /> After 5–6 weeks, body hair starts growing.<ref name="UR6" /> It is able to leave the burrow to accompany its mother after only two weeks and eats termites at nine weeks,<ref name="UR6" /> and is weaned between three months<ref name="UR" /> and 16&nbsp;weeks.<ref name="EoM" /> At six months of age, it is able to dig its own burrows, but it will often remain with the mother until the next [[mating season]],<ref name="EoM" /> and is sexually mature from approximately two years of age.<ref name="UR" />