FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



foot, 2.3 inches. Taken in Eldorado Canyon, Clark County, 

 southern Nevada. 



The Cacomistle is a beautiful little carnivore somewhat 

 suggestive of the Raccoon in the character of banded tail, but 

 more like a Marten in its long, slender body and graceful build. 

 This mammal has such a restricted range in the United States 

 that it is unknown to most people. The name Civet Cat is a 

 misnomer, for this term belongs to the members of the Viver- 

 ridae, an Old World family of small carnivores, and should not 

 be used for any North American mammal. 



The Cacomistle is strictly nocturnal and moves about only 

 after sundown. 



The young are three or four in number and are born in A'lay 

 or June. The nest is usually in a hole in a tree. 



Family Mustelidae. Weasels, Martens, Minks, 



Otters, Skunks, Badgers 



and Wolverines 



Carnivorous mammals very small to medium in size; 

 form typically slender; limbs short; tail variable; feet digiti- 

 grade to subplantigrade, digits five in number; anal scent- 

 glands usually present and often highly developed; dentition 

 of shearing-crushing type, well-developed carnassial teeth 

 present; upper molars one on each side; habit terrestrial, semi- 

 arboreal, semiaquatic, or semi-fossorial ; pelage often soft 

 and dense, and rating high as fur. 



Subfamily Mustelinae. Martens, Weasels, 

 and Minks 



Form long and slender; legs short; feet digitigrade, toes 

 partly webbed; tail variable in length, slender or bushy; 

 pelage dense but not especially long; anal scent-gland fairly 

 well developed; habit terrestrial, semi-arboreal or semiaquatic. 



Genus Martes 



Dentition: Incisors, f ; Canines, {; Premolars, |; Molars, ^ =38 



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