Aardvark: Proud to be the first illustrated entry in most dictionaries

If you've never seen a baby aardvark, you must see the picture from the Detroit Zoo, where newborn Amani (Swahaili for "peace," not Italian for "overpriced suits") was born Dec 8 to mother Rachaael and father Mchimbaji. The cutie arrived hairless, the way many of us leave, weighing 3 pounds, 10 ounces, with ears measuring 4 inches.

The aardvark is an African mammal whose name comes from the Afrikaans word "earth pig." Its looks may seems funny to you, but unlike yours, they serve a purpose. The ears point forward to enable it to listen for the sound of insects. The snout is long and filled with hair (sound familiar?) that acts as a filter, letting in scents and keeping dirt out. The aardvark then uses its long, sticky tongue to trap insects (as you use yours to trap Twinkies).