The area between Dota 2’s lanes that contains neutral creep camps is called the jungle.
Unlike lane creeps, neutral creeps are not initially aligned with either Radiant or Dire. They occupy marked camps in the wooded areas between the lanes and can be defeated by heroes from either team. Killing them provides gold and experience, making the jungle an important alternative source of income and a place where heroes can recover, farm, or set up ambushes.
The jungle is more than empty woodland. Its trees, elevation, paths, vision blockers, and camp locations affect movement and ganking. Neutral camps can respawn over time after being cleared, so players may repeatedly farm them. A hero or team that spends much of its time defeating these units is often described as “jungling,” although modern Dota 2 strategies usually balance jungle farming with lane pressure and objectives.
Players sometimes confuse the jungle with the river or a team’s base. The river divides the map, while the base contains structures such as the Ancient and barracks. The jungle is the contested space between lanes, and its camps can be invaded or defended by either side.