THE HONEY RATEL 



the interior of a hollow tree is sometimes attained 

 by burrowing a hole amongst the roots and scraping 

 out the rotten pith. Another plan is to actually 

 ascend the tree and enter it from the top of the 

 trunk, where in some species of old native trees a 

 hole is usually found. 



It is stated that the ratel does not climb trees. 



True, it cannot ascend a tree with a smooth trunk 



if there are no branches or twigs within reach ; 



but should the trunk be rough and uneven on the 



outside, the ratel obtains a grip with its claws 



and slowly and carefully ascends. If there are 



twigs or branches within reach the animal finds 



no difficulty in ascending trees. Reaching up, a 



twig or branch is hooked with the large, curved, 



horny claws of the front foot. The body is then 



drawn up with the assistance of the back feet 



gripping the trunk, and the other fore paw is hooked 



over the branch. Then, standing on its hind legs, 



it once again reaches up to the nearest twig or 



branch above it, and so on. Wherever there is 



a foothold the ratel will climb, even up the rough 



face of a precipice. It is quite indifferent to a fall 



which would seriously injure or kill most othei; 



kinds of animals : this is owing to its loose, thick, 



and tough hide. A ratel which I have in captivity 



tumbled from the balcony of a public building to 



the asphalt floor below, a distance of forty feet. It 



fell with a thud on its back, but was up again in an 



instant, none the worse. I noticed when it lost its 



H3 



