NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



general bulk of an adult domestic pig, although it 

 is in no way related to swine. 



It is solitary in its habits, and is only seen in 

 company during the breeding season, for the per- 

 petuation of the race. The sexes then go their 

 own way, and usually do not meet again until the 

 following breeding season. The female gives birth 

 to a single offspring during the winter months, 

 usually in May, June and July, according to the 

 part of the country the Ant Bear is inhabiting. 



Although found in nearly all parts of the country, 

 these animals are nowhere common. The Aard 

 Vark is seldom seen, for the reason that it lies hidden 

 in the depths of its burrow during the day, and 

 only issues forth at night, and during the early 

 hours of the morning. 



The principal enemies of the Ant Bear, in the 

 past, were the Leopard, Chita, Lion, Cape 

 Hunting Dog and Python. The latter was 

 a formidable foe to the younger animal, for it 

 followed the creature down to its innermost lair 

 and, constricting it, swallowed its body entire, 

 afterwards coiling up in its victim's nest, and 

 sleeping peacefully for a couple of weeks until its 

 meal had digested. 



The pygmy Bushmen of the past hunted down 

 the Ant Bear relentlessly, and in many parts of the 

 country succeeded in almost exterminating it. At 

 the present day it is largely destroyed by the natives, 

 as well as by colonists. 



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