136 



MAMMALS OF AMERICA 



pending upon circumstances. The bite of the 

 Skunk is no more to be feared than that of other 

 animals such as the fox or dog, but it should 

 be remembered that blood-poisoning may follow, 

 and it may not be due to rabies. 



It is a well established fact that rabies has ap- 

 peared among Skunks in various parts of the 

 country, and that men and animals bitten have 

 developed hydrophobia and died. It has been 

 stated that this is a distinct disease among Skunks 

 and is known as mephitic rabies. Others as 

 stoutly maintain that it is not a specific disease 



and in the Nezi' York Medical Record, March 13. 



1875. 



Regarding the economic value of this animal, 

 aside from the value of its fur, Dr. A. K. Fisher 

 says : " The Skunk is a " chicken thief ' which 

 renders important service by destroying im- 

 mense numbers of mice, white grubs, grass- 

 hoppers, crickets, hornets and other noxious 

 forms. Although it prefers this kind of food, 

 like the Opossum, it will eat almost any animal 

 matter and also at times certain wild fruits and 

 berries. It is said to be fond also of eggs and 



Photograph by S. A. Lottndge 



THREE OF A KIND 

 A happy family of little Skunks, caught napping upon a log 



of Skunks, but sinijily canine madness developed 

 in the Skunks by a mad dog or fox. An interest- 

 ing discussion of the subject may be found in the 

 American Journal of Science and Art, May, 1874, 



young chickens, but the writer has known a 

 mother Skunk to make her nest and rear her 

 young in the inner walls of a chicken yard, and 

 neither egg nor fowl was molested." 



BADGER 

 Taxidea taxus (Schreher) 



General Description. — Form thick-set and about 

 size of a spaniel. Body muscular; tail short; legs 

 short; front feet powerful with long claws and adapted 

 for digging; ears short; head broadly triangular; nose 

 sharp ; hair long and falling from sides like a mantle ; 

 general color silvery gray with white markings on face. 



Dental Formula. — Incisors, ~^ ; Canines, ^— ; 



Premolars, ^-^ ; Molars, ^— =-ii. 

 3—.) 2—2 ■'^ 



Pelage. — .\dults : Sexes similar, seasonal variation 



sliglit. General color above, silvery gray, the hairs 



being yellowish white at base, then blackish with white 

 tip ; neck, crown and muzzle brown ; cheeks, chin and 

 stripe from nose over forehead to shoulders white ; 

 underparts yellowish-white ; bar on each cheek, back 

 part of ear and feet dull black; tail yellowish-brown. 

 Young : Similar to adults. 



Measurements. — Length. 28 inches ; tail. 5 inclies ; 

 hind foot. 4 inches. Weight, 15 pounds. Sexes similar 

 in size. 



Range. — Northern Indiana west to Sierra Nevada 

 MouiUains, south to Kansas and New Mexico, north to 

 Saskatchewan, latitude 55°. 



