138 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



fell into a covered pit which had been dug for the cap- 

 turing alive of game. I have no idea how long he had 

 been there when the natives arrived in the morning ; in 

 any case he had not made much impression on the walls 

 of the trap, which had been hollowed out of very hard 

 and rocky soil. 



The Ant-Bear's food consists exclusively of ants and 

 termites. Its method is to break into one or other of 

 the big or little ant-hills which so widely decorate the 

 African landscape, and, having sufficiently disturbed 

 the inmates, to introduce its long and sensitive tongue 

 along one of the numerous thoroughfares which permeate 

 the nest. So soon as this sticky member is sufficiently 

 covered with the alarmed termites, it is withdrawn into 

 the mouth, to be extended once more for a fresh supply, 

 until hunger is satisfied. 



It is a perfectly inoffensive, and, if its excavating 

 tendencies are excepted, harmless animal ; indeed such 

 inconvenience as it causes in this way may be held to be 

 more than counterbalanced by the heavy toll which it 

 takes of those pests of Africa, the white ants. 



An Ant-Bear killed in the Singwitsi district, was found 

 to be suffering from a disease akin to measles, the lungs, 

 liver, and loins being covered with spots. In spite of 

 this some of the natives ate the flesh with relish, and 

 suffered no apparent after ill effects. These animals 

 are usually very fat, and the meat is considered to be 

 quite good. In captivity they become very tame, 

 although, during the daylight hours, they suffer from 

 unconquerable sleepiness, and protest in a determined, 

 if passive, manner against any attempt to disturb them. 

 They show considerable intelligence, and, at what they 

 deem a reasonable hour, will play amusingly with any 

 one whom they know. In captivity they will eat porridge 



