656 COLLEGE ZOOLOGY 



North America, ranging east to Wisconsin; lives in a burrow in 

 the ground; and feeds on small mammals. The wolverine, Gulo 

 luscus, is one of the larger martens. It occurs in the northern 

 United States. Wolverines are fierce, greedy animals, and great 

 thieves, stealing bait from traps, and even the traps themselves. 



The family Felid^e includes the cat, puma, leopard, lion, tiger, 

 lynx, and cheetah. The principal species inhabiting North 

 America are the wildcat, Canada lynx, puma, and jaguar. The 

 wildcat, Lynx rujfus, also called bay lynx, bob cat, or catamount, 

 is a stub-tailed animal about three feet in length, and weighs up 

 to eighteen pounds. It was formerly common, but is now re- 

 stricted to the forests of thinly settled localities. Its food con- 

 sists of rabbits, poultry, and other birds and mammals. The 

 Canada lynx, or " loup cervier,'' Lynx canadensis, is slightly 

 larger than the wildcat, and can be recognized by a tuft of stiff, 

 black hairs projecting upward from each ear. It occurs in the 

 northern United States and in Canada. The puma, cougar, 

 mountain lion, or panther, Felts cougar, reaches a length of over 

 eight feet, of which the tail constitutes about three feet. Pumas 

 make their homes in rocky caverns, or in forests. They prey 

 upon many kinds of animals, frequently causing much damage 

 by killing young colts; but they do not attack man unless cor- 

 nered. The jaguar, Felis onca, is the largest American cat, but 

 only occasionally enters the southern United States from Mexico, 

 where it is common. It is spotted and has a shorter tail than 

 the puma. The jaguar is afraid of man, but is a dangerous enemy 

 of deer, horses, cattle, and other animals. 



The largest living cat is the tiger, Felis tigris, and related 

 species, whose body reaches a length of ten feet; it is most abun- 

 dant in southern Asia. The lion, Felis leo, is found in Africa 

 and certain parts of Asia; it is slightly smaller than the tiger. 

 The cheetah, or hunting leopard, Acinonyx jubatus, occurs in 

 parts of Asia and Africa. In India it is trained to capture 

 game. 

 The aquatic carnivores (suborder Pinnipedia) are greatly 



