654 



COLLEGE ZOOLOGY 



ful. Wolves hunt in packs, and are able to capture deer and 

 other large animals. They destroy great numbers of calves, 

 colts, and sheep, and are shot, trapped, or poisoned whenever 

 possible. Many states pay a high bounty for wolf scalps. The 

 young, usually five in number, are born early in May. 



Coyotes are common on the plains and deserts of the West. 

 Their pointed ears and drooping tails distinguish them easily 

 from dogs. They are fond of poultry, lambs, and sheep, but 

 if these are properly protected, turn their attention to rabbits, 



mice, and other 

 noxious mammals, 

 thereby becoming 

 an ally of the 

 farmer. 



The PROCYON- 

 ID^E are mostly 

 confined to Amer- 

 ica. The com- 

 monest species is 

 the raccoon, Pro- 



cyon lotor (Fig. 519). This form, as well as the Texas bassaris, 

 and the Mexican coati, which also occur in North America, can 

 be recognized at once by their black- and white-ringed tail. 

 The raccoon walks on its entire foot (plantigrade), and is about 

 two and a half feet in length. It prefers to live in a hollow 

 tree, and is omnivorous. Its flesh is considered by many people 

 an excellent article of food. 



The best-known bears (URSID.E) of North America are the 

 polar bear, black bear, grizzly bear, and the large Alaska brown 

 bear. They are all plantigrade, and have a thick, clumsy body 

 and rudimentary tail. The polar bear, Thalarctos maritimus, 

 frequents the coasts of the Arctic Ocean, feeding principally 

 upon seals, walruses, and fish. The black, brown, or cinnamon 

 bear, Ursus americanus, is a smaller species abundant through- 

 out the forested regions of North America, where not exter- 



FIG. 519. The raccoon, Procyon lotor. (From 

 Beddard.) 



