CLASS MAMMALIA 



433 



have adapted themselves to various modes of hving, some of them having 

 become carnivorous, and others molehke, shrewHke, or rodent-Hke. 



Fig. 325. — A mongoose, Hcrpcstcs mungo, ready to attack the deadly cobra, Naja 

 tripudians, of India. The mongoose is so extremely agile that it dodges the strike of a 

 snake. After the snake becomes slightly fatigued by continuous striking, it is seized and 

 killed by the mongoose. {Photographed from specimens in the University of Nebraska State 

 Museum.) 



The phalangers are flying marsupials similar to the flying squirrels. 

 The kangaroo has very large hind legs and a large tail, the former being 



Fig. 326. — Raccoon, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus). A carnivore which enjoys a great 

 variety of food, from fruit, nuts, and corn to insects, fish, frogs, reptiles, eggs, birds, and 

 small mammals. Raccoons prefer the vicinity of water, always where there are trees or 

 brush, favor hollow trees or logs for their homes, and are nocturnal. They have an inter- 

 esting habit of washing their food when possible before eating it; however, they will not 

 refuse to eat it unwashed as is sometimes stated. Raccoons of various species are found in 

 both Americas. {Photographed from a specimen in the University of Nebraska State Museum,.) 



used for leaping while the small forelegs serve merely for grasping food 

 and handling the young (Fig. 323). 



