About one-third of the Dobe area lies across the border in Namibia. Since the building of a border fence by South Africa in 1965, this western portion has been cut off to the gathering and hunting Ju. The Dobe area is home to over 50 resident mammal species which provide the Ju/'hoansi with a solid hunting subsistence base (Lee 27). At the same time, the hunters have to compete for prey with representatives of all the major predator species: lions, leopards, and others. In addition to the mammals, their are 90 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, and up to 90 species of invertebrates. Ungulates are the main game animals for the Ju/'hoansi, most prominently the kudu, wildebeest, and gemsbok. Giraffe, eland, roan antelope, and hartebeest are also present. The most plentiful and most frequently killed are the nonmigratory warthog, steenbok, and duiker.
Of other mammals, ant bear, porcupine, springhare, and scrub hare are important in the diet of the Ju/'hoansi. The ostrich is prized for its eggs (Lee 27). They are emptied, their contents eaten, and the shells cleaned and used for water canteens and in bead making. Other birds eaten by the Ju/'hoansi are guinea fowl, francolin, ducks, korhaan, sandgrouse, quail, and dove. No fish are found in the area. Poisonous s
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