This rarely seen but widespread mammal is nocturnal and secretive, feeding almost
exclusively on termites and ants. Enemies are lions, leopards, cheetah, hyena and other
dogs.
Aardwolf
Aardwolfs appear dog-like in appearance and growl and bark vigorously when confronted.
Strong claws lend to the ability to dig burrows. The are found on the grassy
plains throughout Namibia and South Africa. Although often accused of taking
stock and therefore persecuted by man, they feed only on termites.
Baboon
Chacmas Baboons are gregarious and roam in troops of up to 50 individuals, ruled by
dominant males. Often seen on rocky hills and kranzes, they will also rest in tall
trees. Being omnivorous, they will eat many types of fruits seeds, insects,
scorpions, and even small antelope, domestic poultry and goats.
Honey Badger
Courageous, ferocious, tenacious, and treacherous describe this small mammal. They
are found in many habitats, even ranging into urban areas and can be a problem to farmers
with poultry and bees. Young antelope, rodents, birds, eggs, reptiles, fish, frogs
insects, spiders and scorpions are preferred along with some fruity and tubers.
Civet
The Civet is omnivorous, eating everything from insects to fruit, fish, grass, and even
small calves and domestic cats. They are nocturnal and prefer lots of surface water.
Musk from the Civet once was important in the perfume trade.
Rock Dassie
This small cousin of the elephant is diurnal and found on rocky slopes or within ground
dens in colonies. They breed prolifically, and as man has destroyed natural
predators (large raptors, cats, jackal, snakes), the population has increased.
Bat-eared Fox Preferring open semi-arid grassland and karoo scrub, these small dogs are often
persecuted for the stock depredations of jackals. Feeding on mainly invertebrates
(termites in particular), they play an important ecologically valuable role.
Porcupine
This unique rodent has long, hard, sharp, black and white quills that are erected at will.
An aggressive Porcupine charges swiftly backwards with its detachable quills
erected. Although mainly vegetarian, carrion may be taken.
Ground
Squirrel
Endemic to the arid parts of Africa, these squirrels prefer a hard substrate where burrows
may be made, frequently on the edges of dry pans. Colonies may have as may as 30
individuals with warrens of complicated tunnels with many openings. Squirrels are
mainly vegetarian, but they are prey to mongooses, wild cats, jackals, raptors and snakes.
Suricate
These burrowing animals are related to mongoose, and live in colonies of up to 30+
individuals in the open arid parts of Namibia, where there is a hard stony surface.
Burrows are extensive with many entrances. Predators include the African Wild Cat,
servals, jackals, badgers, and birds of prey. They eat insects and other
invertebrates, bird's eggs, and reptiles.
