MAMMALS 



813 



Beaver {Castor canadensis). North America. Copyright, 1900, by A. RadcH£fe Dugmore. 



SO well developed in the dog, are known as the dog teeth. All 



flesh-eating mammals are wandering hunters in a state of nature; 



many, as the bear and 



lion, have homes or dens 



to which they retreat. 



Some, for example bears 



and raccoons, live at least 



part of the time upon 



berries and fruit. Seals, 



sea lions, and walruses are 



adapted to a life in the 



water. Especially in the 



seals, the hind limbs are 



almost useless on land. Some of the fur bearers, as the otter and 



mink, lead a partially aquatic life. Others in this great group 



prefer regions of comparative dryness, as the inhabitants of the 



South African belt. Some have come to live most of their time 



in the trees, the raccoon being an example. Many have adapta- 



SkuU of a dog. Notice the size and shape of the 

 canine teeth. 



