274 A^STNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 40 



ageous enough to fight in their own defense. Very rarely does a wild 

 animal attack without first-class provocation. 



There are many modes of animal defense. One of the most effec- 

 tive and well known is the method used by the skunks {Mephitis^ 

 Cmiepatus^ and S pllogale) , peaceful animals that desire only to be let 

 alone to lead their own quiet, inoffensive lives. They are too slow to 

 escape by running and are not equipped for a fight ; but below and on 

 each side of the base of the tail is situated a gland that secretes a vile- 

 smelling liquid. This material can be sprayed in two fine jets to a 

 distance of several feet to the rear of the animal. Therefore, when 

 danger threatens the little fellow heads aw^ay from the enemy, raises 

 his tail and stands in defensive attitude. If the enemy has not had 

 previous experience it may be so incautious as to approach and attack. 

 In such event, it is almost certain to have regrets, for the spray of a 

 skunk is intensely irritating if it gets in the eye, is nauseating to most 

 animals, and is remarkably persistant in its duration.^ 



The term "playing 'possum" is well known in the range of the 

 North American opossum {Didelphis) as a synonjTn for feigning 

 death. In general, when an opossum is disturbed, it will become 

 limp and allow itself to be handled in almost any manner without 

 making an effort to fight or to run away. This undoubtedly is a 

 very effective means of avoiding molestation by animals that are 

 not particularly interested in eating an opossum but would worry 

 or attack it should it move or try to escape. The opossum has a 

 peculiar odor and is probably not relished by many animals for 

 food. Most dogs soon lose interest in an opossum because it offers 

 no resistance to them. This feigning of death is thought by some 

 zoologists to be a paralysis induced by fear. 



Just how effective a means of defense spitting in the face of an 

 enemy may be is not known to me, but the South American repre- 

 sentatives of the camel family (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and 

 vicunas) habitually resort to it. When irritated the llamas and 

 their relatives spit toward an enemy. Perhaps this is effective for 

 the protection of the animal under some circumstances, but I do not 

 know what dangerous natural enemy it may deter. 



In Alaska I once had occasion to investigate charges of unpro- 

 voked attacks by the big brown bears (Ursus), the largest of all 

 carnivorous mammals. In practically every case I found that the 

 attack was not wanton or unprovoked. Sometimes a man would be 



•There Is a common belief that clothing that has been scented by the skunk's fluid must 

 be buried in the ground for a long period. Numerous other treatments have been proposed. 

 Within about 15 minutes strong, fresh skunk scent can be reduced until It is not seriously 

 offensive by exposing it to ozone which i.s now readily available from small electric ozone- 

 producing units used for purifying air and dispelling odors. 



