. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. 32 OKDERS OF MAMMALS—FLESH EATERS enemies, is contained in two glands situated near the Isase of tlie tail, and can be thrcjwn seA'cral feet. Its odor is so offensive and so stifiinf; that neitfier man nor beast can long endure it. The Skunk is a bold marauder, and destruc- tive to poultry, but ne^•ertheless of yjlue as a destroyer of white grubs and other noxious in- sects. Owing to the disappearance of the otter, bea\'er, mink and marten, the fur of the Skuidc has become
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. 32 OKDERS OF MAMMALS—FLESH EATERS enemies, is contained in two glands situated near the Isase of tlie tail, and can be thrcjwn seA'cral feet. Its odor is so offensive and so stifiinf; that neitfier man nor beast can long endure it. The Skunk is a bold marauder, and destruc- tive to poultry, but ne^•ertheless of yjlue as a destroyer of white grubs and other noxious in- sects. Owing to the disappearance of the otter, bea\'er, mink and marten, the fur of the Skuidc has become \'aluable, and is now ^•ery exten- sively used, the white portions being first dyed black. The Little Spotted Skunks ' are found chiefly in our southern states, and can immediately be recognized by the alternating bands of black and white which extend lengthwise along the body. Of these there are about a dozen species, but some of them are very much alike. They range from the Clulf coast north to West Virginia and Kansas, but on the Pacific slope they are found in Washington, Oregon, Cali- fornia and Utah. The Badger Skunks ' resemble the common Skunks in size, but may be readily distinguished by the broad white stripe on the back, and the powerful claws on tlie fore feet. As indicated by their name, they are more badger-like than. THE BADGER. the other skunks, and are expert diggers. They are the only skunks which occur in South .-Vmer- ica, and their range extends from the Straits of Magellan northward along iho west coast, through Central .America and Mexico into south- ern Texas and .\rizona. The Badger is an animal of strange form, its body being very broad and flat, and its legs very ' Spi'lo-ijah'. - Cii-iir-pa'lus. short. In size it stands midway between the common skunk and the woh'erine. It has a sav- age and sullen disposition, and as a pet is one of the worst imaginable. It lives in burrows, and feeds on ground squirrels, prairie-"dogs," and ground g
Size: 1918px × 1303px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookp, booksubjectnaturalhistory
