NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK HOLLISTEE 307 



Other members of the squirrel family shown are the prairie dog 

 {Gynomys ludovicianus) and various species of ground squirrels and 

 marmots. The prairie dogs have an inclosed area near the eland 

 yards where they live the social village life so characteristic of the 

 species. Numbers of young are born and reared each year. During 

 the coldest winter weather the prairie dogs hibernate, but in nice 

 weather they are always to be seen about the " dog town." 



Two aquatic rodents, the American beaver (Castor canadensis) and 

 the coypu (Myocastor coypus) of South America enjoy the running 

 stream above the sea lion pool. The beavers have an extensive yard 

 and have dammed the stream in true beaver fashion so that the 

 resulting lake offers them the most natural surroundings. They are 

 best seen in the late afternoon. The coypu, or nutria, is thoroughly 

 at home in the water, and the teats of the female are placed high 

 on the side of the back so that the young are able to nurse without 

 diving. The fur is valuable for many purposes but is chiefly cut and 

 used in the manufacture of hats. As many as 500,000 skins have been 

 exported from South America within a single year. 



The African porcupine (Hystrix africceaustralis) and the Malay 

 porcupine (Acanthion hrachyurum) are splendid species with quills 

 far longer than those of the American porcupines. 



Among the attractive rodents found only in tropical America 

 are the families Caviidae, Dasyproctidse, and Chinchillidse. Many 

 species are peculiarly adapted to zoological park life, are showy 

 animals, and breed regularly in captivity. The guinea pig (Cavia 

 porcellus), so familiar to children, is bred in large numbers. The 

 paca ( Cuniculus paca) , one of the larger rodents, has a brown body 

 well marked with whitish spots. He is related to the agouti 

 (Dasyprocta) of which a number of species are regularly kept. 

 Some of the species of agouti are brilliantly marked; a most strik- 

 ing species is the hairy-rumped agouti (D. prymnolopha) . One of 

 the most beautiful forms, the Trinidad agouti (D. rubrata) , first re- 

 ceived from Hon. Henry D. Baker, has twice bred in the park. 

 Agoutis range north into Mexico and on several of the West Indian 

 islands. They are hunted with dogs by the natives, and are said 

 to be almost as cunning as a fox. Eight species of agouti were on 

 exhibition at one time in 1923. 



The capybara (Hydrochmrus hydrochmris) is a native of South 

 America, north to Panama. This species is very fond of marshy 

 tracts and is an expert swimmer. The specimens now on exhibition 

 were received from Venezuela and British Guiana. Capybaras 

 sometimes grow to more than 4 feet in length ; they are thick-set ani- 

 mals and although easily the largest of the existing rodents are 

 gentle, inoffensive, and easily tamed. 



