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 entiance 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 toplace 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. Il, 65 5 
