THE AARD OR EARTH WOLF 



by ant-eaters are taken possession of. The end of 

 the hole is enlarged and forms a roomy chamber. 

 The entrance to this is just sufficiently large for the 

 manhaar to squeeze through. When attacked by 

 dogs, he defends the entrance to this chamber with 

 great vigour. In Natal I found the Aard Wolves 

 usually preferred the deserted holes of these Aard 

 Varks or ant-eaters. It seemed apparent that when 

 such holes were available the Aard Wolves always 

 would take possession of them in preference to 

 excavating burrows for themselves. A burrow is 

 inhabited by a pair of these animals. The puppies, 

 which are usually from two to four in number at a 

 birth, are born and reared at the bottom of the 

 burrow. As many as six in a litter have been re- 

 corded. The young animals remain with their 

 parents until they are well grown and capable of 

 taking care of themselves. Once in Natal we gave 

 chase to a pair of adults and half-grown young ones 

 which raced off and scrambled all of a heap into 

 their burrow, which was of ample dimensions, 

 being that of an ant-eater. It is quite an easy task 

 to dig them out, for they lie cowering in abject fear 

 at the bottom of the burrow instead of energetically 

 tunnelling the soil to place a greater distance between 

 themselves and their pursuers, as does the ant-eater. 

 Aard Wolves are strictly nocturnal, issuing from 

 their lairs at dusk and returning at dawn. They 

 can easily be run down by dogs. In fact an active 

 man could in many instances overtake them if they 

 VOL. ii- 65 5 



