'Princess Dirt Pig': 1st Baby Aardvark Born At SD Zoo In 35 Years

SAN DIEGO, CA — A new "princess dirt pig" has arrived in San Diego.

San Diego Zoo announced the birth of a female aardvark cub last week — the first to be born at the zoo in more than 35 years. The cub, whose name has yet to be chosen, was born May 10 to parents Zola and Azaan.

The cub is doing well and her mother has been both caring and attentive.

“We are elated to have this little cub in our care,” Cari Inserra, lead wildlife care specialist at the zoo, said in a statement. “She is very active, and was using her sharp claws to dig like an adult aardvark, just hours after her birth.”

The cub has frequently nursed and has tripled her weight from about 4 pounds to more than 13 pounds in five weeks.

"We can’t wait until we are able to introduce the cub to our Zoo guests, helping them learn more about this remarkable species," Inserra said.

Aardvarks are native to sub-Saharan Africa. The name "aardvark" is derived from Afrikaans and translates to “earth pig.” They have strong front legs and long claws that make them capable of digging burrows. Aardvarks are mostly nocturnal and spend much of the day in their dark burrows before coming out in the evening to feed on ants and termites, which they famously slurp with their long, sticky tongues.

An adult aardvark can eat up to 50,000 insects per evening.

The cub rarely leaves her mother’s side, the zoo said, and will likely nurse from Zola for about six months. She will start eating insects after two to three months. When full-grown in about a year, she will be independent and could weigh up to 140 pounds.

Zola and Azaan were paired after a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which is designed to help maintain a healthy population. Aardvarks are classified as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. They are currently at risk due to human population growth, which has resulted in habitat loss and hunting.

The baby aardvark and her mother will remain out of sight for about two months as they bond. Once Zola is ready, she will bring her cub outside for guests to see.

Social media users immediately fell in love with the aardvark, which the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance affectionately called, "a new princess dirt pig."

"This brought me a great sense of peace," one Twitter user wrote. "Thank you."

"AAAHH SO CUTE <3," tweeted another user.