94 ] Animals in the Wild 



as sharp claws that can be withdrawn into the fleshy foot pads 

 when they are not needed. When your child sees a fight between 

 two tomcats he can feel that he has witnessed real jungle warfare; 

 they use their teeth and claws in the same way as the big cats. 



Squirrels, woodchucks, rats, and other rodents have dependable 

 weapons in their chisel-like front teeth, though rabbits rely chiefly 

 on their strong hind legs with which they can kick savagely. When 

 rabbits fight, each one tries to leap on top of his opponent and 

 kick downward. A deer avoids trouble whenever possible, but if 

 it is cornered it defends itself by striking at the enemy with its 

 front hoofs. The bucks also fight with their antlers. 



Horses, burros, and some other hoofed mammals are able to 

 kick with both front and back feet. The grizzly bear has strong, 

 sharp teeth, and its huge front paws can be deadly to an enemy. 



NOT-SO-SECRET WEAPONS 



Some mammals have specialized defensive weapons. The 

 skunk can discharge a notoriously evil-smelling scent that over- 

 powers the enemy with nature's poison gas. Foxes, wolverines, 

 weasels, and some other animals have scent glands more or less 

 like the skunk's and use odor as a defense weapon. But none of 

 these scents is so potent as that of the black and white "wood 

 pussy." 



Porcupines, like the skunk, are not aggressive; they are slow- 

 moving and stupid. Their quills, however, are splendid equipment 

 for defense. Trapped by an enemy, Porky contracts his skin 

 muscles, causing the quills to stand erect. Then he bunches himself 

 up, raises his tail, flails anything within reach, and drives many 

 of his barbs into the flesh of his opponents. Contrary to popular 

 belief, the porcupine never shoots or throws his quills. 



Keeping a Mammal Chart 



Man has constantly expanded his knowledge of the world 

 around him by keeping records. You and your child will find 

 your interest in nature stimulated if you keep records of your 

 observations. A chart of personal findings on mammals has many 



