. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. THE SMALL FUE-BEAREES 27 The five subspecies of the gray fox extend throughout the southern United States from Florida to Gahfornia. Besides the foxes already mentioned, several other species and races are Sanborn, Photo., N. Y. Zoological Park. GRAY FOX. THE SMALL FUR-BEARERS. Mustelidae. A majority of the valuable fur-bearing ani- mals of North America are found in a group of flesh-eaters known as the Marten Family. It contains about fifty full species, and i
. The American natural history; a foundation of useful knowledge of the higher animals of North America. Natural history. THE SMALL FUE-BEAREES 27 The five subspecies of the gray fox extend throughout the southern United States from Florida to Gahfornia. Besides the foxes already mentioned, several other species and races are Sanborn, Photo., N. Y. Zoological Park. GRAY FOX. THE SMALL FUR-BEARERS. Mustelidae. A majority of the valuable fur-bearing ani- mals of North America are found in a group of flesh-eaters known as the Marten Family. It contains about fifty full species, and its con- spicuous types are the following: / These four types are Otter; i marlvcd by long, slen- Mink; j der bodies, very short I Weasel; \ legs, flattened heads, THE 1 Marten; r and general activity MARTEN / V on foot. FAMILY: \ Wolverine; the greatest glutton Mustelidae. \ and pest in this Family. Skunk; aggressive and destructive pests; valuable fur-bearers. Badger; a fat-bodied, inert and practically harmless burrower. The great demand for fur, both for ornament and use, has brought about the systematic de- struction of all fur-bearing animals. Many spe- cies that once were numerous have now become very rare. Formerly the wearers of fur ac- cepted nothing less desirable than beaver, otter, mink and marten. To-day, the fur of the skunk, raccoon, fox, lynx, black bear and even the de- spised rabbit are in active demand, for garments and for trimmings. The Otter^ is as fond of water as a seal, and quite as much at home in fresh water as on land. Its regular food consists of fish, in the capture of which it is very expert. It has webbed feet, a thick, pointed tail distinctly flattened for use in swimming, and it is clothed with a thick coat of very fine, dark brown fur. Strange to say, when isiirXj treated, the Otter is a good- tempered animal, tames easily when caught young, and makes an interesting pet. In a public park, one Otter is worth more to the public than twenty beave
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