"'" CARD 271 I GEOFFROY'S CAT """" ________________ GROUP 1: MArv1MALS ... ORDER ~ Carnivora

FAMILY Felidae

GENUS « SPECIES Felis geoffroyi

Ceoffroy's cat is one of the smallest spotted cats that inhabit the forests of South America. It rarely leaves its wooded

home, and little is known of its life in the wild.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: Head and body, 1 ~-2~ ft. Tail, 10-14 in.

Weight: 4-8 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Female, 1 ~

years. Male, 2 years.

Mating season: October to May.

Gestation: 2~ months.

No. of young: 1-3.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Solitary; active at night.

Diet: Small mammals, birds, rep­

tiles, and fish.

Range of Geoffroy's cat.

DISTRIBUTION Lifespan: 11 years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

Found in upland forest and scrubland in Bolivia, southeastern

Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile.

CONSERVATION There are 28 species in the genus

Felis, including the ocelot, Felis parda/is; the margay, F. wiedii; and

the mountain cat, F. jacobita. The

5 recognized subspecies of Geof­

froy's cat vary in basic coloring.

Hunting of Geoffroy's cat for the fur trade peaked in the early

1980s when 80,000 skins were exported yearly. Now that this

trade is illegal, the eat's numbers are thought to be substantial.

FEATURES OF GEOFFROY'S CAT Senses: Keen sight and hearing pick up the slightest movement of potential prey.

Feet: Have strong, retractable claws used to grip tree trunks and branches and to hold prey firmly during a kill.

Coat: Coloring and mark­ings vary depending on the

area. In the north of the cat's range, the coat's base

color is ocher. There are small, round black spots and a dark band running

down the back.

© MCMXCII IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET'" PRINTED IN U.S.A.

VARIATIONS IN THE COAT

Tail: Spotted at the base, with

rings toward the tip. Aids

balance as the cat moves

through the branches.

0160200621 PACKET 62

Named after the French naturalist Geoffroy St. Hilaire,

this small, agile cat of the South American forests was

endangered by hunting for the fur trade. There was an

increased demand for its beautiful, densely spotted coat

when trade in the furs of larger cats became illegal in

recent years. Now, hunting of Geoffroy's cat is prohibited.

~ HABITAT Geoffroy's cat lives in the forest,

but it avoids dense areas. It pre­

fers high, rocky ground with

scrubby trees and shrubs. It

can be found at elevations of

over 10,000 feet, which is too

high for most other cats.

An agile climber, Geoffroy's

cat spends most of its time in

the branches. It climbs by jump­

ing up the tree trunk, gripping

with its claws. In the branches,

it relies on balance and agility

to move around.

Like most male cats, the male

Right: In daytime Geoffroy's cat is inactive, resting in the branches ofa tree.

Geoffroy's cat marks his territo­

ry to warn off other males. He

sprays tree trunks and branches

with urine, and he also rubs his

scent glands on the branches

of his main hunting grounds.

~ BREEDING Geoffroy's cats are solitary and

come together only in order to

mate. When the female is in

heat, she gives off a distinctive

scent that attracts the male.

But she remains aggressive

and fights him off until she is

ready to mate. After mating,

she turns on the male again

and chases him off.

A pregnant female comes

down from her usual home in

the branches to prepare a den

between rocks that are con­

cealed by undergrowth. She

Left: Geoffroy's cat has sharp teeth and powerful jaws for killing and devouring prey.

gives birth to a litter of one to

three young.

Like all newborn cats, young

Geoffroy's cats are blind at birth

and totally dependent. The fe­

male cleans, feeds, and protects

them, keeping away adult male

cats that would readily kill and

eat the kittens. When the kittens'

eyes have opened and they can

move about freely, the female

teaches them to hunt. The fami­

ly group breaks up when the

young Geoffroy's cats are a few

months old.

Right: Its attractive coat made Geoffroy's cat the target of fur hunters until recently.

Left: There is a rare type of Geoffroy's cat that is melanis­tic, or all-black in coloring. The parents ofa melanistic cat are generally the common spotted type.

r DID YOU KNOW? • In addition to Geoffroy's cat,

a bat and a tamarin are named

for Geoffroy St. Hilaire.

• Geoffroy's cat can be mated

with the domestic cat to pro­

duce a hybrid known as the

safari cat. But one male Geof­

froy's cat in a zoo killed all the

~ FOOD &: HUNTING At night Geoffroy's cat pads

quietly through its forest home,

looking for prey such as birds,

reptiles, and small mammals. It

is a good swimmer, and if it lives

near water it often preys on fish.

Geoffroy's cat uses ambush

and surprise tactics to hunt. Its

light movement and agility in

the branches are great advan­

tages. Well camouflaged by its

densely spotted coat, the cat

listens, motionless and unseen,

for noises that reveal its victim's

position. It then lies in wait and

left: With its keen senses and agile build, Geoffroy's cat is a skillful and effective hunter.

domestic cats brought into its

cage for cross-breeding.

• In 1983, over 80,000 Geof­

froy's cats were killed for their

spotted pelts.

• Approximately 25 Geoffroy's

cat pelts are needed to make I one full-length fur coat. ~

carefully chooses the moment

to pounce. After pinning its vic­

tim to the ground, Geoffroy's

cat kills it with a bite and eats

the entire animal at once, chew­

ing it with the carnassial (slic­

ing) teeth located at the sides

of its mouth.

Like other cats that are active

at night, Geoffroy's cat usually

hunts in the half-light just after

dusk or before dawn. This small

cat must eat one or two meals

every day-unlike the big cats,

which may eat up to a third of

their own body weight at one

time and then not eat again

for a week.

""'=CARD 272 -- --LONG-NOSED POTOROO ~ '\ ... ORDER

"'IIIIIIII Marsupialia

FAMILY

Potoroidae

GROUP 1: MAMMALS ",,"~~) ... GENUS &: SPECIES ~1I

"'IIIIIIII Potorous tridactylus

The long-nosed potoroo is a small, secretive pouched mammal that lives in Australia and Tasmania. It is one of the rat-kangaroos,

which are named for their rodentlike looks and rapid movements.

KEY FACTS ------------------------------------------------------~

SIZES

Length: Head and body, 13-16 in.

Tail, 6-10 in .

Weight: 2-4 lb.

BREEDING

Mating: Year-round. Births occur

from September to October and

January to February.

Gestation: About 5 weeks.

No. of young: 1 .

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Solitary; night-active.

Diet: Fungi, roots, grass, and other

plant matter; also insect larvae.

Lifespan: Approximately 5 years

in the wild.

RELATED SPECIES

The closely related broad-faced

potoroo became extinct in the

1870s, but there are thought to

be 2 species in the genus still in

existence. There are 4 other gen­

era of rat-kangaroos.

• Range of the long-nosed potoroo.

DISTRIBUTION

Found in damp forests and grasslands on the southern and

eastern coasts of Australia and Tasmania.

CONSERVATION

The long-nosed potoroo has disappeared from much of its

former range due to habitat destruction from bushfires and

forest clearance for agriculture. It has also suffered from pred­

atory species introduced by humans.

FEATURES OF THE LONG-NOSED POTOROO

Fur: Soft and thick to repel rain. Griz­zled gray-brown on the head and back; off­white on the belly. Eyes: Good nighttime

vision for foraging in the dark.

Forefeet: Long, sharp claws ideal for scratching in sandy soil.

Long in relation to the ani­mars size, enabling the potoroo to hop very Quickly. Large first toe is used for grooming fur.

Tail: Able to grasp and hold objects. Sometimes tipped with white.

About the size of a squirrel, the long-nosed potoroo is an

extremely fast-moving marsupial. It is active mainly at night,

when it forages in the dense undergrowth for food. Once

common in Australia, the long-nosed potoroo disappeared

from much of that region when forest clearance destroyed its

habitat. Today this animal is abundant only in Tasmania.

~ HABITS The long-nosed potoroo lives in areas where dense, moist vegetation provides protection from its predators and shelter from rain . This animal is found in coastal forests as well as on damp heath land, where there is thick, low undergrowth and soft, sandy soil.

A nocturnal animal, the long­nosed potoroo spends the day sleeping in its nest. It makes its nest from dry grass, which it picks up with its forepaws and mouth. It passes the grass un­der its body to its tail, which is prehensile-capable of grasp­ing. With its tail curled around the bundle of grass, the animal returns to its nest site, drops

the bundle, and arranges the grass into a pile among the dense undergrowth.

The long-nosed potoroo is a solitary creature. The male's territory may overlap with the territories of females, but he rarely encounters other males.

The long-nosed potoroo can move very quickly and has two ways of getting around. It pro­pels itself with its hind legs in kangaroolike hops, keeping its body horizontal and close to the ground. Or it moves in a shuffling gallop, using its fore­legs as well as its hind legs.

Right: The long-nosed potoroo 's young leaves its mother's pouch after about four months.

~ FOOD &: FEEDING At night the long-nosed poto­roo leaves its nest to dart nim­bly over the ground in search of grass and other plant mat­ter. It also digs shallow holes to uncover roots, tubers, mush­rooms, and other fungi. Dur­ing spring and summer the long-nosed potoroo searches for insect larvae among the debris on the forest floor.

The animal can process large quantities of vegetable matter

Left: The long-nosed potoroo of­ten has well-worn routes to favor­ite feeding spots.

DID YOU KNOW? • The long-nosed potoroo was one of the first mammals discovered in Australia. It was called rat-kangaroo. • The name potoroo is derived from the Aborigine name for this animal. • The long-nosed potoroo in­habits areas that have annual

because its stomach is divided into several chambers, like the stomachs of cud-chewing ani­mals such as sheep and cows. But the potoroo's teeth are not as specialized for grinding veg­etation as the teeth of wallabies and kangaroos. The reason for this difference is that the poto­roo's teeth have evolved to deal with a diet containing softer foods like insect larvae and fungi, as well as vegetation.

Right: The long-nosed potoroo picks up its food with its forefeet and eats while squatting on its hind legs.

rainfalls of at least 30 inches. • The long-nosed potoroo can cover eight feet of ground in one leap. • The long-nosed potoroo is preyed upon by foxes and by domestic cats and dogs. It is also killed in bushfires and by poison put out for rabbits.

Left: The long­nosed potoroo uses its claws to scrape around in the soil for food. It uses the long toes on its hind feet for scratching and cleaning its fur.

~ BREEDING The male long-nosed potoroo mates with females he meets in his home range. Mating occurs at any time of year, but most births are at the end of either summer or winter. It is possible that implantation of the embryo can be delayed so that birth takes place only at these times.

Although the female has four teats, she gives birth to just one young. But she may suckle an embryo while feeding an older offspring. Like the young of all marsupials (pouched mammals), the newborn is poorly devel­oped. It stays in its mother's pouch, attached to one of her teats for four months.

"" CARD 273 I KINKAJOU

,,~----------------------------------------~ ~

ORDER Carnivora

FAMILY Procyonidae

GENUS & SPECIES Potos flavus

The kinkajou is also known as the honey bear because of its glossy golden fur. This agile member of the raccoon family inhabits

forests in Mexico and parts of South America.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: Head and body, 1 ~-2 ft. Tail, up to 2 ft. Weight: 3-10 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Male, 1-1 ~ years.

Female, just over 2 years.

Mating: Year-round.

Gestation: 4 months.

No. of young: 1-2.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Night-active. Lives alone, in

pairs, or loose groups.

Diet: Mainly fruit and nectar.

Lifespan: About 19 years in the

wild. Up to 23~ years in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES

The only species in its genus, the

kinkajou is similar to the related

olingos of the genus Bassaricyon, which share its habitat. Olingos

and kinkajous will sometimes for­

age together.

FEATURES OF THE KINKAJOU

Range of the kinkajou.

DISTRIBUTION

The kinkajou lives in tropical forests from southern Mexico

south to Bolivia and Mato Grosso in Brazil.

CONSERVATION

The kinkajou is not listed as threatened despite widespread for­

est clearance for agriculture, logging, and urban development.

Because it is active at night, the animal is rarely seen in its natu­

ral habitat and its exact status is hard to confirm .

Feeding: The kinkajou eats sweet foods such as fruit and nectar. It also raids bees' nests, plunging its paw in­to the hive and licking off honey that sticks to its palm.

Coat: A rich golden brown color. Short but thick and very soft. May hang loosely from the body. Juvenile has a soft, dark-tipped coat.

Tail : Prehensile (grip­ping) . May be longer than

the body and very flexi­ble. Provides extra grip

while climbing and feed­ing when coiled around

branches. Improves bal­ance when thrust out

straight behind.

Tongue: Up to 5 inches long. Used for lapping nectar and lick­ing the sugary juices of soft fruits. Also used for grooming fur.

©MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM

Hands and feet: Each has 5 dig­its with long claws. Used in gathering food.

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The velvet-coated kinkajou is the only member of its family

that has a prehensile tai~one that can grip branches.

It uses its tail as a fifth limb to help it move through the

trees of its tropical forest home. At a length of up to two

feet, the kinkajou's tail may be longer than its body.

~ HABITS The kinkajou is found in Mex­

ico and parts of South America.

It inhabits tropical forests from

sea level to altitudes of 8,000

feet and rarely ventures down

to the ground.

During the day the kinkajou

sleeps in the hollow of a tree,

curled up with its forefeet over

its eyes. Occasionally it stretches

out on a branch to sun itself.

The kinkajou awakens at dusk.

After a ritual catlike stretch, it

sets out on its nightly search for

food. Although it is very agile,

it moves cautiously, releasing

its tail's grip on a branch only

when it has a secure hold on

another point.

The kinkajou lives alone, in

pairs, or in loose groups. It uses

scent to mark its territory and

to make its presence known.

The kinkajou has scent glands

on its throat, chest, and belly.

In contrast, most other mem­

bers of the order Carnivora have

only anal scent glands.

~ BREEDING The female kinkajou may be sex­

ually receptive at any time. She

indicates her readiness to mate

with a loud, submissive cry.

About four months after mat­

ing, the female gives birth to

one or two young. The new­

born has soft dark-tipped, sil­

very gray fur. At 5 days old its

ears open, and at 17 days old,

its eyes open. When the young is about two months old its tail

can grip branches. The mother

carries her offspring with her,

holding it by the throat. It be­

gins to eat solid food when it is

two months old, and it is fully

weaned at four months.

Left: To attract males, a female kinkajou marks trees with scent from her throat glands.

Right: The kinkajou gets much of the liquid it needs from moisture in the rainforest canopy.

DID YOU KNOW? • The kinkajou fits descriptions

of nero-nero, an animal said to

attack people in Bolivia's forests.

But there are no records of kin­

kajou attacks on humans.

• The kinkajou is also called

~ FOOD &: FEEDING Although it occasionally takes

birds' eggs and nestlings, the

kinkajou lives mainly on nectar

and fruit such as figs, guavas,

bananas, mangoes, and avoca­

dos. It also eats legumes, honey,

and soft-shelled nuts.

The kinkajou frequently hangs

upside down when plucking

fruit from branch tips. Its five­

inch-long tongue is ideal for

Left: The kinkajou can gather fruit with its hands and feet, while keep­ing a firm grip with its tail.

the potto, but it is unrelated

to the actual potto, which is

a West African primate.

• The kinkajou is one of two prehensile-tailed members of

the order Carnivora.

lapping nectar and honey and

probing soft fruit. Groups of

kinkajous often gather on well­

laden fruit trees. Although they

are usually tolerant of each oth­

er, individuals hiss and scream

when competing for fruit.

The kinkajou's plant-based

diet distinguishes it from most

other members of the order

Carnivora, which eat flesh as

well as plant matter. Even the

related common raccoon eats

both animals and plants.

CARD 274

BANDED MONGOOSE

" ~ ORDER Carnivora

FAMILY Viverridae

GROUP 1: MAMMALS GENUS & SPECIES Mungos mungo

The banded mongoose is found in much of sub-Saharan Africa. This extremely sociable animal lives in strongly supportive, well-organized troops that keep in constant, close contact.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: Head and body, 12-16 in.

Tail, 8-10 in.

Height to shoulder: 7-8 in.

Weight: Up to 3~ lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: Female, 9-10

months. Male, 12-14 months.

Mating: Year-round in moist cli­

mates; during the rainy season in

drier areas.

Gestation: About 2 months.

No. of young: Up to 8, but usually

2-3. LIFESTYLE Habit: Day-active. Lives in tight­

knit group of up to 30.

Diet: Invertebrates, mammals,

birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Lifespan: 8 years.

RELATED SPECIES

The only other member of the

genus Mungos is the Gambian

mongoose, M. gambianus.

Range of the banded mongoose.

DISTRIBUTION

The banded mongoose occurs in much of Africa south of the

Sahara. It is absent from extremely moist central and western

regions of the continent.

CONSERVATION

The banded mongoose's group-based defensive behavior and

high rate of reproduction make it successful and numerous

across its range.

FEATURES OF THE BANDED M ONGOOSE

Coat: Coarse, with no soft underfur. Brownish gray with 10 to 12 dark brown or black bands that run across the coat from behind the shoulders to the base of the tail.

Build: Typical of its family, but the banded mongoose tends to be stockier than some species, with a shorter snout and tail.

Tail: Coarsely furred. Tapers toward the tip .

Feet: Naked soles. Each foot has 5 dig­its of similar size. Foreclaws are twice as long as hind claws.

~.\ MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.8A 0160200841 PACKET 84

The banded mongoose gets its name from the dozen or so

dark bands that straddle its back. This blunt-nosed, fairly

heavyset animal prefers to dwell in grassland and open

woodland. However, it is a resourceful creature and will

make its home in rocky terrain as long as there is some

ground cover to provide shade from the fierce sun.

~ HABITS The banded mongoose lives in a troop of 5 to 30 members. The troop occupies a home range of up to one and a half square miles-usually near a water source. Troop members daub rocks and logs with anal gland secretions to mark their territory, which may encroach on the home range of another group. Neighboring troops squabble if they meet while

~ ENEMIES Flesh eaters such as jackals and birds of prey are the main ene­mies of the banded mongoose, but the troop's social behavior is a great defense against such predators. While some troop members forage, others act as lookouts, uttering shrill alarm

foraging, but bloodshed is rare. Troop members share a den,

which they either dig or adapt from a hollow tree or an aban­doned termite mound or aard­vark hole. The den usually has several entrances and a large sleeping chamber. A troop may use the same den for a month or two, especially at breeding times, but it normally vacates the site after a day or two.

calls if an enemy nears. They also rush to each others' aid and may even rescue a com­panion from an eagle's grasp by lunging at the bird while spitting and growling . A troop will also band together to fend off a jackal, nipping at its heels.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The banded mongoose usually leaves the den early in the day to forage. It digs through grass and turns over stones to expose beetles, scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. It also feeds on small mammals and reptiles, amphib­ians, and birds and their eggs. To crack an egg, the mongoose holds it in its forepaws, then hurls it back between its hind

Left: The banded mongoose hunts in the open, making sure that other troop members are nearby.

DID YOU KNOW? • The banded mongoose's ge­neric name, Mungos, is derived from a name in the Mahratti language of India for a mon­goose species that is found in that country. • In contrast to the banded mongoose, many other mon-

legs against a rock or a tree. Troop members spread out to

feed over a wide area-up to five and a half miles if food is scarce. However, they keep in constant contact with soft, twit­tering calls. They may some­times join forces to kill a larger mammal or a snake. If it is hot they take a rest at midday and forage again in the afternoon.

Right: Crickets, termites, and oth­er insects are staple foods for the banded mongoose.

goose species are solitary and active at night. • After catching a frog, the banded mongoose rolls it in dusty soil to remove the slime on its skin before eating it. • This species is also known as the zebra mongoose.

~ BREEDING The banded mongoose breeds throughout the year in much of its range, especially in moist cli­mates. In these areas, females may have up to four litters in 12 months, mating again a week or so after giving birth . But in drier regions they breed only in times of maximum rainfall.

The banded mongoose usu­ally breeds only with another member of the troop. Mating is synchronized so that the fe­males bear their young at about the same time. They give birth in a roomy, grass-lined chamber in the den . Each female may produce up to eight young but usually bears only two or three.

Left: Teamwork is second nature to a species that breeds, sleeps, and hunts in small troops.

The newborns are blind and helpless, weighing less than an ounce. They are sparsely furred but their dark bands are visible, their legs and feet are black, and their claws are long. The young develop quickly; their eyes open at 10 days old, and they venture out of the den at three weeks.

During the first few weeks of their lives, the offspring are left in the care of one or two young adult males during the day. Lat­er, the troop's adults take turns guarding them, and foragers bring them beetles when they start eating solid food . Juveniles begin following the troop and foraging at approximately five weeks old . At three months old, they have full adult coloration and are almost fully grown.

BRUSH-TAILED RAT KANGAROO

"" CARD 275 I

,,-------------------------------------------~ ~

ORDER MarsupiaJia

FAMILY Potoroidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Bettongia penicillata

The brush-tailed rat kangaroo looks like a large rat but has long hind legs and feet like a kangaroo. The young spends its first weeks

in the safety of its mother's pouch, like the young of a kangaroo.

'\J KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 12-15 in.

Tail length: 12-14 in.

Weight: 2~-3 ~ lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 5~-6 months.

Mating: Year-round.

Gestation: 3 weeks.

litter size: 1 . Offspring spends 2

months in the pouch, and it is

weaned after about 4 months.

LIFESTYLE

Habit : Solitary, except when rear­

ing young.

Diet: Fungi, tubers, insects, and

plant resin .

lifespan: 4-6 years.

RELATED SPECIES

There are 3 other species of Bet­

tongia: B. gaimardi of eastern Aus­

tralia and Tasmania, B. tropica of

Queensland, and the " boodie, "

B. lesueur, of western and south­

ern Australia.

Original range of the brush-tailed rat kangaroo.

DISTRIBUTION

Formerly widespread from southern Western Australia to New

South Wales. Now present only in a small area in southern

Western Australia.

CONSERVATION

Once widely distributed in southern Australia, the brush-ta iled rat

kangaroo is now rare. In addition to being killed by foxes, it has

suffered from habitat loss and competition for food w ith rabbits.

FEATURES OF THE BRUSH-TAILED RAT KANGAROO

Tail: Thick and furred . May be up to 14 inches -almost as long as the body. Pre­hensile (able to grip), used to carry nesting material. Tuft of hairs at the tip gives the species its name.

I ,

Coat: Brownish gray, with lighter underparts.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Eyes: Large, giv­ing good vision

for activity at night.

Forelimbs: Short with

sharp, curved claws for

digging and holding food.

Hind limbs: Long and powerfu l for hopping. Can propel body forward

. SQCy.

0160200661 PACKET 66

The brush-tailed rat kangaroo is also known as

the brush-tailed bettong or the woylie. This marsupial

was once common throughout southern Australia. But

forest clearance destroyed much of its original habitat,

and the introduction of foxes posed a new threat to

its survival. Today the brush-tailed rat kangaroo is

restricted to a few pockets of woodland or forest.

~ HABITS The brush-tailed rat kangaroo

lives in southwestern Australia.

This solitary animal usually stays

in a territory that includes a nest

and a feeding area. For most of

the day it remains hidden in its

nest. Although the animal de­

fends the territory near its nest,

several individuals may share

the same feeding grounds with­

out any conflict.

The brush-tailed rat kangaroo

digs a hollow under a bush for

its nest. It then collects dry veg­

etation and tree bark, which it

shreds. With its mouth and front

feet, it gathers together the nest­

ing material and pushes it under

its body. It carries the material to

the nest site in its curled tail.

Rat kangaroos, like true kan­

garoos, move by hopping on their hind feet. When foraging

for food, they usually hop slowly

with head down, back arched,

and tail extended. But they can

move fast and will drop to all

four limbs when they need to

change direction.

Right: It takes about four months for the offspring to be weaned from its mother's milk.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The brush-tailed rat kangaroo

feeds at night. In summer and

fall, it forages for fungi, using

its powerful foreclaws to dig

them from the soil. Since fungi

are low in protein, the animal

also eats roots, tubers, bulbs,

seeds, and insects. In winter it

gets valuable nutrients from

the resin of certain shrubs.

This marsupial has more than

one stomach. With its large first Left: Limited to small areas in Aus­tralia, the brush-tailed rat kanga­roo is considered endangered.

Right: Some rat kangaroos dig up most of their food, but they also find insects on the ground.

I DID YOU KNOW? • The introduction of foxes to Australia placed the al-

ready declining population

of brush-tailed rat kangaroos

at even greater risk. The fox

is their main predator.

• A close relative, the boo­die, has overcome the prob­

lem of loss of ground cover

by living in burrows, like a

stomach, it is able to eat quick­

ly, lessening the risk of attack

from predators lurking near the

feeding grounds. The food is

broken down by bacteria be­

fore it is passed to the second

stomach and small intestine for

further digestion.

Right: The brush-tailed rat kanga­roo holds food in the long claws of its forepaws.

rabbit. A colony on Barrow

Island has more than 60 in­

habitants with 120 tunnel

entrances. But this species is

also declining because it is

preyed on by foxes and cats.

• At least one species of rat kangaroo that lived about

five million years ago was as

large as today's kangaroo.

The female brush-tailed rat kan­

garoo can mate at six months

of age, and she breeds at any

time of the year. Three weeks

after mating, she gives birth to

one offspring and soon mates

again. In rare cases two young

are born, but only one survives.

The underdeveloped young

climbs from its mother's birth

canal to her pouch, where it

suckles milk for two months. Af­

ter this period there is usually

another embryo in the pouch,

so the first offspring joins the

female in her nest. It is displaced

from the nest when the next in­

fant leaves the pouch. The fe­

male continues to produce one

offspring almost every three

months for the rest of her life.

Left: The brush-tailed rat kangaroo has powerful rear limbs and hops like a true kangaroo.

NAKED MOLE-RAT

,,-------------- GROUP 1: MAMMALS ----... ORDER ... FAMILY ~ Rodentia ~ 8athyergidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Heterocephalu5 glaber

The naked mole-rat is confined to a small area of Africa. A relative of the guinea pig, this mammal has wrinkled pinkish skin and protruding teeth. It lives in a large colony that has a cooperative social structure.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: 3-4 in.

Weight: Average, 1 oz .

BREEDING Gestation: About 10 weeks.

Litter size: 3-15.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Lives in large underground

colonies, never emerging above

the ground.

Diet: Tubers and roots.

Lifespan: Maximum of 16 years

in captivity.

RELATED SPECIES There are 5 genera and a total of 8

species in the family 8athyergidae

-the African mole-rats. All the spe­

cies live south of the Sahara. One

other mole-rat family, Spalacidae,

has just 1 species and is native to

eastern Europe, southern Asia, and

the eastern Mediterranean region .

Range of the naked mole-rat.

DISTRIBUTION The naked mole-rat is confined to hot, dry areas of the Horn of

Africa. The animal is found in southeastern Ethiopia, eastern

Kenya, and Somalia.

CONSERVATION The naked mole-rat is quite abundant because its underground

lifestyle protects it from external influences. Its main enemies

are snakes.

FEATURES OF THE NAKED MOLE-RAT

Ears: Simple holes in the

Eyes: Tiny and ineffectual. The naked mole-rat is virtually blind.

Teeth: Two pai rs of very long, protruding incisor teeth . Used for gnawing tubers, digging tunnels, and attacking snakes.

©MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Skin: Bare except for a few scattered hairs.

Claws: Small and sharp. Provide good grip while animal travels along its dusty tunnels.

US P 6001 12077 PACKET 77

The naked mole-rat is a burrowing rodent that is virtually

blind and never sets foot above the ground. It seems to

be the only mammal with a social organization that is

similar to the societies of bees, ants, and termites. Like

those insects, the naked mole-rat lives in a colony that

is dominated by the only breeding female, or queen.

~ HABITS The naked mole-rat lives in an underground colony of 70 to 80 individuals. The communi­ty's extensive system of burrows can spread over an area of a lit­tle over a square mile.

The shallowest burrows are around eight inches below the ground and often wide enough for only one animal at a time. Roadway burrows, about 20 inches down, are large enough for two animals. They may pass side by side, or the larger animal may crawl over the smaller one. At this level there are one or more nest chambers. Latrine ' chambers may also be at this level or slightly deeper. A num-

ber of deeper dead-end tunnels may be used as resting places or to hold floodwater during rainy periods. Sometimes the naked mole-rat makes volcano-shaped molehills to get rid of surplus soil and provide ventilation.

Like the queen in a beehive, only one female naked mole-rat breeds. This dominant female has one to three mates, which are usually larger than the aver­age male. The other animals do not mate. They spend their time finding food and nesting mate­rial and clearing tunnels . They also defend the colony against predators, such as snakes, which may enter the tunnels.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The naked mole-rat eats tubers and roots exclusively. It feeds on wild species as well as sweet potatoes, which humans grow for food. The animal gets all of its moisture from its food and does not need to drink.

The naked mole-rat forages in its shallow burrows, which are at the level where tubers grow. It appears to forage ran­domly, depending on luck rath­er than its sense of smell to find food . When it discovers a large

Left: The naked mole-rat's tiny eyes are almost useless. Its ears are sim­ple holes in the skin.

DID YOU KNOW? • The naked mole-rat is also called the sand puppy. • If a naked mole-rat wants to turn around in a narrow tun­nel, it must back into a side tunnel to change direction. • The naked mole-rat makes approximately 1 7 different

patch of tubers, it digs many branch burrows to harvest the crop. The mole-rat frequently blocks off the shallow foraging burrows once the tubers have been found and eaten, but it may open them later.

Sometimes the naked mole­rat takes a few bites out of a tuber and then blocks up the holes with soil. This may help to ensure future food supplies, since the half-eaten tubers of­ten continue to grow.

Right: The naked mole-rat uses its four protruding teeth to clear tough roots from tunnels.

sounds. These sounds include very loud chirps, trills, whis­tles, and sneezes. • Naked mole-rats eat their own and each other's drop­pings. This may provide extra protein and essential nutri­ents lacking in the diet.

The queen naked mole-rat mates almost every three months, with­in roughly one week of produc­ing her last litter. She makes the first approach toward any breed­ing male while uttering a trilling sound. She mates with which­ever one she happens to meet.

Gestation takes approximately 10 weeks, and there are usually 3 to 15 pups (young) in a litter. The queen, her mates, and, to a lesser extent, other members of the colony share in the care of the pups. The young of one lit­ter may help look after the next.

Left: The queen of the colony may behave aggressively toward an approaching male.

Left: The naked mole-rat uses some of the burrow's deep­erchambers as latrines. Co/onymem­bers mayrol/ in a latrine to mark them­selves with its scent.

The newborn pup is a bright pink color and weighs even less than a piece of paper. The pup can walk in a few hours and can eat solid food when it is three or four weeks old. The mole-rat pups engage in play-fighting until they are two years old.

When the queen grows too old to breed, other females fight to succeed her. One female usu­ally kills her rivals and takes over. It is not clear how the queen sup­presses sexual activity in colony members. It may be througr a hormone that she emits with her urine. Naked mole-rats be­come sexually active after a few days away from the queen.

EUROPEAN SUSLIK GROUP 1: MAMMALS "''-------- --------

". ORDER ". FAMILY "1IIIIIIII Rodentia "1IIIIIIII Sciuridae

GENUS & SPECIES Spermophi/us eitel/us

The European suslik is a squirrel that lives in elaborate underground burrows. In winter these burrows are filled with

stores of food that the animal has gathered for its hibernation.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: Body, 8-9 in. Tail, 2-3 in.

Weight: 8-1 2 oz.

BREEDING

Mating season: April to June.

Gestation: About 4 weeks.

litter size: 3-7.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Sociable within communal

underground burrows, but solitary

within its own lair. Active by day.

Hibernates during winter.

Diet: Grass, seeds, grains, insects.

lifespan: 5 years.

RELATED SPECIES

The European suslik is one of 36

ground squirrels, 9 of which are

found in Eurasia, 26 in western

North America and Mexico, and 1

in both Asia and North America.

Range of the European suslik.

DISTRIBUTION

Found in central and eastern Europe. Also occurs as far east as

Syria and Israel, almost to the Caspian Sea.

CONSERVATION

The population has decreased across all of the European suslik's

range. Increased use of modern farming methods has deprived

the animal of important habitats.

FEATURES OF THE EUROPEAN SUSLIK

Coat: Upper­parts are grayish yellow, with faint mottled mark­ings. Belly is yel­lowish, and throat is white. Fur is soft but thin and looks somewhat spiky.

Eyes: Large for good all-around vision.

Forepaws: Strong and agile. Ideal for digging and holding food .

Burrow: Entrance is sur­rounded by a small mound of earth.

I ~ e­ll. :,.: c 0: c f'­C

~ C C <C

0.

S!;

The European suslik digs an extensive maze of tunnels,

building an underground home that provides protection

from most predators. The animal stiJI falls prey to human

hunters, however. The European suslik has survived

because of its ability to adapt to new habitats.

~ HABITS The European suslik is found in

a variety of treeless habitats, in­

cluding open steppes, pastures,

and farmland. Its range extends

from parts of central and east­

ern Europe that are just above

sea level to more mountainous

regions. In certain parts of its

range, the suslik is migratory.

To find new fields, it may travel

up to 60 miles at a time.

For protection from predators,

the suslik feeds and travels in

colonies of up to 100 animals.

But within a colony's commu­

nal underground home, each

individual lives in its own bur­

row. An adult has a permanent

burrow and several small tem-

porary holes that it uses on for­

aging trips. During the summer months

the animals rear their young

and gather food for hiberna­

tion. The older adults start their

winter sleep as early as July or

August, but the younger ones

do not begin hibernating until

September. In the first months

of hibernation, the suslik's heart

rate and breathing slow down

and the animal feeds on its food

stores. By midwinter, the suslik

hibernates fully. It emerges from

its burrow only in early spring .

Right: The European suslik builds up fat reserves that let it survive its winter hibernation.

~ BREEDING The breeding season begins af-

ter the European suslik emerges

from hibernation in early spring.

Pairs mate between April and

June. The pregnant female then

retires to a breeding chamber

that she has lined with grass

before mating. The chamber

has two entrances. One slopes

gently to the surface, and the

other is vertical.

After a gestation period of

four weeks, the female gives

birth to three to seven young.

The newborns are hairless and

blind. Nourished by their moth­

Left: Always alert, the European suslik looks for birds of prey before foraging for food.

er's milk, they open their eyes

within three to four weeks and

become quite active. The moth­

er is very attentive to her young,

and she is alert to the presence

of predators. Choosing a spot

on raised ground, she sits and

watches over her offspring. At

the least sign of danger, she ut­

ters a shrill whistle, and the en­

tire family disappears down the

nearest tunnel.

The mother suckles her off­

spring for six weeks. The young

then leave the nest and begin to

build their own burrows.

Right: The European suslik is most active during the morning and early evening.

Left: In areas where the sum­mer is very dry and little food is available, the European suslik may sleep through the bar­ren period.

DID YOU KNOW? • In Russia the fur of the Euro­pean suslik is used to line coats.

Each year thousands of susliks

are trapped for this purpose.

• The European suslik blocks the entrances to its tunnels

~ FOOD & FEEDING Seeds, grasses, grains, nuts,

and an occasional insect are

the staple diet of the European

suslik. It is also fond of fungi

that grow underground and

digs them up with its forepaws.

The animal feeds in the early

morning and late afternoon,

never venturing far from the

safety of its burrow. As it for­

ages, it often pauses to nibble

with clumps of earth and grass

so that snow cannot get inside

while the animal hibernates.

• The European suslik carries fleas in its fur that transmit the

deadly bubonic plague.

on a seed, holding the morsel

in its forepaws as it chews.

When collecting food for the

winter, the suslik holds it in its

cheek pouches before deposit­

ing it in its burrow. With the

help of its plentiful food stores,

the animal builds up a fat re­

serve to sustain it through its

winter hibernation.

In areas where large num­

bers of susliks have settled on

farmland, the feeding animals

have had a devastating effect

on crops.

Left: The European suslik uses its agile forepaws to scoop up food such as fungi.

"" CARD 278 I CHINCHILLA ,,~--------------------------~~~~~~ ~ ORDER ~ ~ Rodentia ~

FAMILY Chinchillidae

GENUS &: SPECIES Chinchilla laniger

The chinchilla has one of the most prized furs of any animal. For this reason, it has been hunted almost to extinction in its natural

habitat. But it is raised for its fur around the world.

KEY FACTS

SIZES Length: Head and body, 14-15 in. Tail, 3-6 in. Weight: Almost 2 lb.

BREEDING Sexual maturity: 7 months. Mating: Year-round. Gestation: 3~ months. No. of young: 1-6. Up to 3 litters a year, but usually only 2.

LIFESTYLE Habit: Sociable. Lives in small groups within colonies. Diet: Grass and herbs. lifespan: 20 years in captivity; 10 years in the wild.

RELATED SPECIES The chinchilla's closest relative is the viscacha, Lagostomus maximus,

which also lives in the Andes.

Range of the chinchilla.

DISTRIBUTION Found in the Andes in Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina, and Chile.

CONSERVATION The chinchilla has been severely overhunted and is endan­gered. But its numbers have increased since 1970, as a result of protective legislation.

FEATURES OF THE CHINCHILLA

Coat: Thick, soft, dense fur protects the animal against the cold . At least 60 strands of hair grow from each follicle. The upper body is pearly blue or silvery gray with faint smoky mark­ings. The underparts are paler.

Tail: Long and bushy. The hairs are coarser than the rest of the coat and

are marked with black or brown.

© MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET ...

Ears: Rounded,

Legs: The hind limbs are long and muscular. Soft pads at the ends of the toes protect the feet on rocky surfaces.

PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Head: The large head has a broad snout and large black eyes. The long, bristly whiskers may be white or black.

0160200651 PACKET 65

The chinchilla is a tiny mammal that lives high

in the Andes. It has a very dense coat that keeps it

warm in its cold mountain habitat. At first sight the

chinchilla appears to be just a bundle of fur. Although

rare today, it was once very numerous in the wild.

Travelers in the 16th century reported seeing as

many as a thousand chinchillas in a single day.

~HABITS The chinchilla is found at eleva-

tions of more than 16,000 feet

in the Andes. On this rocky, arid,

and often snowy terrain, colo­

nies of chinchillas live in holes,

crevices, or burrows between

rocks. Family groups of two to

five members often live togeth­

er in a burrow. When chinchillas

were more numerous, over 100

animals could be found in a sin­

gle colony.

The chinchilla is active mainly

at night and can easily scramble

over rocks in the dark. At any

sign of danger, it scampers back

to its burrow. It emerges in a

few minutes, with its nose quiv­

ering, to test the surroundings.

The chinchilla likes to bask in

the morning and late afternoon

sun. It sleeps for most of the day

in its rocky crevice or burrow.

Right: The chinchilla's large ears pick up the slightest sounds, warn­ing it of danger.

DID YOU KNOW? • The chinchilla's fur is at least

one inch deep. It is so dense

and thick that fleas cannot

penetrate it.

• The chinchilla's fur is dense

because 60 to 80 hairs grow

from each follicle. It has more

hairs per square inch than any

other mammal. The strands

are so fine that they are virtu-

~FEEDING The chinchilla feeds only on the

sparse vegetation that grows in

its environment-mainly coarse

grass and herbs. After plucking

the vegetation with its forefeet,

it sits on its haunches and holds

the food up to its mouth. The

animal's teeth grow constantly

to make up for the wear caused

by gnawing tough food.

In the high, arid mountains

there are few sources of water.

But the chinchilla gets all the

moisture it needs from the veg­

etation it eats.

Left: Rarely seen in the wild, the chinchilla is found only in remote parts of the Andes.

Right: The chinchilla grasps food in its paws and nibbles with its sharp front teeth.

ally invisible to the naked eye.

• It requires more than 150

chinchilla pelts to make a full­

length coat.

• When the Spaniards colo­

nized much of South America,

they named the chinchilla for

the native Chinca Indians, who

valued the animal for its fur

and flesh .

~BREEDING The chinchilla can mate at sev­

en months old, and it pairs for

life. The female is aggressive to­

ward the male in the breeding

season, which is unusual among

mammals. A female can have

up to three litters a year, but in

the wild she usually has two.

One to six young are born in

a secluded burrovy. They are

well developed, although they

weigh just over an ounce and

measure only two inches. Fully

furred, the newborns have open

eyes and a full set of 20 teeth.

Within a few hours they can run

around, and they eat solid food

a day or two later. Both parents

watch over them until they are

fully weaned at about six weeks.

~ CHINCHILLA &: MAN The chinchilla's pearly blue or

silvery gray fur has been prized

since the 15th century, and the

animal has been hunted in vast

numbers. By the end of the 19th

century, about 500,000 skins

were being exported annually

from Chile alone.

Legislation was introduced in

the 1920s to ban the export of

furs and make hunting illegal.

But by then the chinchilla pop­

ulation had been reduced to a

few areas high in the mountains.

At about the same time, it

was discovered that chinchillas

could be raised easily on farms.

The fact that its fur could be

obtained without hunting prob­

ably saved the chinchilla from

total extinction in the wild. To­

day it is found in large numbers

on ranches in North America,

South America, and Europe,

and in South Africa and Zim­

babwe in Africa.

PYGMY MARMOSET

,,-----------------~

ORDER

Primates

FAMILY

Callitrichidae

CARD 279

GROUP 1: MAMMALS GENUS & SPECIES

Cebuella pygmaea

The pygmy marmoset is the smallest American primate, but its agility compensates for its small size. This animal moves nimbly

through the forest ~ tallest branches in search of tree sap.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: 4~-6 in. Tail, 6~-9 in. Weight: 4-7 oz.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 2 years. Breeding season: Varies. Gestation: About 5 months. No. of young: 2 per litter. Female may have 2 litters a year.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Day-active; sociable. Lives in an extended family group, which defends a small territory. Diet: Tree sap, insects, flowers, and fruit. Lifespan: 5-8 years.

RELATED SPECIES

The family Callitrichidae has up to 21 species, including the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus; silvery marmoset, C. argentata; Santarem marmoset, C. humeralifer; and 11 species of tamarin.

Range of the pygmy marmoset.

DISTRIBUTION

Found in the upper reaches of the Amazon and in parts of Ecuador, Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil.

CONSERVATION

The pygmy marmoset was once thought to carry yellow fever and malaria and was persecuted as a result. It was exported to zoos and for research until 1973. Today it is most threatened by the destruction of its forest habitat.

r EATURES OF THE PYGMY MARMOSET

Head: Long hairs around the crown and cheeks give the appearance of a mane. No ear tufts on this species.

Teeth: Chisel-like and adapted for scraping sap.

Limbs: Hind limbs are longer than forelimbs and well adapted for jumping. Sharp claws on all but the big toes help grip tree bark.

Tail: Ringed. Very long but not used for gripping when climb­ing trees.

-0 MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.

Coat: Fine, silky, brown , and marbled

or tawny-striped . Less colorful than many other mar­

moset species.

---l 0160200791 PACKET 79

The pygmy marmoset is a tiny squirrel-like monkey

that lives high in the tree canopy of South America's

rainforests. This sociable creature lives in an extended

family group in which only a single female breeds at

a time. The other females in the group suppress their

reproductive instincts. Instead of mating, they

help the sole mother raise her offspring.

~ HABITS The pygmy marmoset is found in rainforests in South America . It usually frequents forest areas that are flooded or that border riverbanks, where it can find sap-producing trees. This mar­moset makes its home in the tangled branches and dense foliage of the high canopy, be­low the treetops. This habitat offers protection from larger enemies and provides an abun­dant source of food.

The pygmy marmoset is ac­tive during the day, sleeping in tree holes at night. This agile monkey travels rapidly through

the branches with short, jerky movements. It may even scurry backward along a branch to es­cape a predator. The animal is easily alarmed and will shoot up a tree like a squirrel, hiding from danger behind a branch.

The sociable pygmy marmoset lives in family groups of 4 to 15 individuals. The group defends its territory with noisy calls and chases. If two families meet, the defenders turn and expose their rumps to the aggressors. The flattened fur around the rump fans out in an obvious gesture of defiance.

~ BREEDING The female pygmy marmoset can produce a litter at any time of year, but only one female within a group breeds in any one season. The other group members help rear her young. This form of cooperative breed­ing is unique among primates.

About five months after mat­ing, the breeding female usually gives birth to two young. Each newborn is very large, weighing as much as 25 percent of the adult's body weight. But despite

left: Each species of marmoset lives in a similar habitat, but no two spe­cies share the same forest range.

its size, the young marmoset is totally dependent on its moth­er and the rest of the group.

The newborn pygmy marmo­set feeds on its mother's milk for two weeks and is weaned soon afterward. The male parent fre­quently carries his offspring, and other group members help to feed and look after it. By the age of three months, the youngster is quite independent, capable of traveling around and obtaining food for itself.

Right: The pygmy marmoset has strong, sharp claws that help it grip tree bark.

left: The pygmy mar­moset and the African gorilla are nearly at opposite ends of the order of Primates. The gorilla is at least a thou­sand times heavier than its tiny relative.

~ID YOU KNOW?

• Twin births are more the rule than the exception with pyg­my marmosets, accounting for 90 percent of births. • Vision and hearing are the pygmy marmoset's two sharp­est senses. • The pygmy marmoset uses scent in order to mark its fam­ily's territory.

• The pygmy marmoset's ears are very small and well hidden in its furry head . In contrast, some other marmosets pos­sess large, tufted ears that are clearly visible. • The pygmy marmoset has a

variety 0,1 calls. Some are so I high-pitched that a human cannot hear them.

-------

~ FOOD &: FEEDING The pygmy marmoset spends much of its time feeding. Its fa­vorite food is tree sap. To get at the sweet, sticky sap, the animal gouges out chunks of bark with its chisel-like teeth, while cling­ing to the tree with its strong and sharp claws. The bark is the tree's outer protection, or skin. When it is broken, the tree pro­duces a chemical solution-the sap-that binds the wound and prevents infection.

The pygmy marmoset also

left: The pygmy marmoset may supplement its diet of sap and insects with fruit and flowers.

feeds on insects, which it gath­ers by ingenious means. Rows of army ants march through the forest regularly in search of food, carrying away what they find and disturbing hordes of other insects. The pygmy marmoset simply waits for a column of ants to approach. Then it picks up other insects as they are flushed from their homes trying to flee from the ants' path.

In addition to sap and insects, the pygmy marmoset eats flow­ers and fruit. It often grips the ends of a branch when feeding on fruit.

" CARD 280 I TASMANIAN DEVIL

,,---------------------------------------------~ ~

ORDER FAMILY Marsupialia Oasyuridae

The Tasmanian devil gets its name from its ratlike appearance and its reputation for being ferocious. However, this creature is fairly timid

and prefers to scavenge carrion rather than kill live prey.

KEY FACTS

SIZES

Length: Body, 1 ~-2~ ft. Tail,

9-12 in.

Weight: 1 3-26 lb.

BREEDING

Sexual maturity: 2 years.

Mating season: March to April.

Gestation: 3-4 weeks.

Litter size: 1-4.

LIFESTYLE

Habit: Nocturnal; solitary but not

territorial.

Call: Growls, spits, hisses. Loud

yells used in aggression or when

frightened.

Diet: Carrion, vegetation, and live

prey such as small mammals, fish,

birds, reptiles, and insects.

Lifespan: 7-8 years.

RELATED SPECIES

The family Oasyuridae also includes

the native "cats" and a variety of

marsupial "mice" in Australia and

New Guinea.

Range of the Tasmanian devil.

DISTRIBUTION

The Tasmanian devil was once widespread in Australia. It is

now found only on the island of Tasmania.

CONSERVATION

The Tasmanian devil has few natural enemies and is in no im­

mediate danger. Problems may arise, however, from increased

habitat destruction and from chemicals used for pest control,

which poison the Tasmanian devil and the animals it feeds on.

I FEATURES OF THE TASMANIAN DEVil

Coat: Thick and black with a distinc­tive white patch on the throat and

other patches on the rump and sides. The pink ears have no fur.

Mouth: Powerful jaws and sharp teeth for tearing flesh. The animal snarls loudly and gnashes its teeth in an in­timidating defense display.

©MCMXCIV IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12 067 PACKET 67

The Tasmanian devil is found in forests and scrubland

only on the island of Tasmania. It evolved more slowly

than most other mammals, which may be one reason

for its rather unusual appearance. With its thick, dark

coat, short limbs, and stumpy tait this stocky marsupial

resembles a small bear. But like other marsupials, the

female has a pouch in which she carries her young.

~ HABITAT The Tasmanian devil inhabited much of Australia until about

600 years ago. Today it lives only on the island of Tasma­nia, where it has few natural enemies. The animal is com­mon throughout the island, except on the southernmost tip, and is often seen looking for food in suburban areas.

The Tasmanian devil is active mainly at night. It prefers to spend the day hiding in places that offer plenty of cover. These places include woodland and

forests where the trees have tough leaves, such as eucalyp­tus. But the animal can also be found living on rocky out­crops, dense scrubland, and coastal heath.

The Tasmanian devil sleeps in a variety of nests, which it makes in caves, hollow logs, or deserted burrows. Some­times it digs a hole for itself in a sandy bank.

Right: Young Tasmanian devils squeal constantly while their moth­er is away looking for food.

~ FOOD & FEEDING The Tasmanian devil eats any­thing-from live prey to carri­

on (dead animal flesh). Up to a dozen individuals may quarrel over a carcass, but they rarely attack one another.

This mammal climbs poorly and walks with awkward, lop­ing movements. It runs even more clumsily, at a speed of approximately eight miles per hour. The Tasmanian devil pre­fers to scavenge rather than hunt live prey. But it has plen­ty of stamina and can track prey over long distances. Its

Left: Although it moves awkwardly, the Tasmanian devil can track prey over long distances.

victims include lambs, wom­bats, wallabies, ground birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. It even attacks and feeds on members of its own species.

In addition to eating animal flesh, the Tasmanian devil con­sumes any fur, feathers, and large bones. It crunches the bones in its powerful jaws us­ing its large teeth.

This mammal also feeds on insects and vegetation. When food is plentiful, it grows sleek and rounded, storing quanti­

ties of fat beneath its coat.

Right: The Tasmanian devil takes advantage of carrion left behind in animal traps.

Left: The Tasmanian devil sleeps by day in the safe­ty of its nest and moves out to forage just before dusk. It has few ene­mies besides man, who is encroaching on its habitat.

fDID YOU KNOW? • The Tasmanian devil lived on mainland Australia until about

600 years ago. Its disappear-ance is thought to be linked to the arrival of the dingo.

• The sperm cell of the Tas-

I man ian devil is four times larger than a man's and is al­most visible to the naked eye.

~ BREEDING The Tasmanian devil breeds in March or April. The sexes pair up for two weeks before mat­ing, and the female stays in the male's den during that period.

After a gestation of three to four weeks, the female gives birth to up to four young. The fairly undeveloped offspring suckle from their mother in her rear-facing pouch. They remain there for eight or nine months, clinging tightly to her four teats to avoid falling out when she is on the move. During that time

• A greedy scavenger, the Tas­manian devil has been known to eat plastic, cotton socks, and rubber boots and gloves.

• After escaping from a zoo in Australia, one Tasmanian devil killed 54 chickens, 6 geese, a cat, and an albatross in a peri­od of two days.

their eyes open, and their fur gradually appears.

When they finally emerge from the pouch, the young go through the most vulnerable phase of their lives. Left alone in a leafy nest while their moth­er hunts for food, they are easy

prey for marsh harriers and owls as well as older Tasmanian dev­ils. In an attempt to protect her offspring, the female may carry them with her on her back, but the young often fall off during the ride.