NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



are out upon the open veld, and not too near their 

 burrows. When overtaken, they discharge the 

 contents of two anal glands, which is a yellow vis- 

 cous fluid and has a disagreeable musky odour. 

 This is done as a protection, for it is particularly 

 unpleasant and nauseating to carnivorous animals. 

 Aard Wolves are exceedingly timid creatures, and 

 on the slightest cause for alarm will rush off and 

 take sanctuary in their burrows, or in the dense 

 matted shrub. When brought to bay by dogs the 

 Aard Wolf emits a roaring kind of noise, ending in 

 a sharp yell, and makes short dashes at the dogs in 

 the vain hope of intimidating them. When sur- 

 rounded or cornered by dogs it seems bold enough, 

 but beyond snapping at random it does not offer 

 any very serious resistance. On being seized by a 

 man it frequently prostrates itself upon the ground' 

 and lies still. A pair with two almost half-grown 

 young ones were dug out of a burrow by a Dutch 

 friend of mine in Natal. When he came upon them 

 at the end of the hole, they were huddled up in a 

 heap ; seizing them one at a time, he dropped them 

 into a mealie sack held open by a Kafir. They did 

 not resist in the slightest. In captivity the Aard 

 Wolf is exceedingly timid, and, retreating to the 

 darkest corner of its cage, coils up and lies still 

 until dark. It then becomes very restless. If 

 taken when in the puppy stage it is possible to 

 make these Aard Wolves as tame as any domestic 

 dog. Moreover, they soon lose their instinct to 



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