138 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



Coatimondis of both species are frequently kept in captivity, and are 

 commonly on view in our Zoological Gardens. They are, in spite of the 

 warm countries they inhabit, quite hardy, and winter well in covered dens 

 outdoors, while their quaint appearance and ways make them amusing 

 pets. They are, however, very vicious to each other, so that it is not an 

 easy matter to get even a pair to live together. Both species, however, 

 have bred in captivity. 



THE RACCOON 



(Procyon lotor) 



As in the case of the Coatis, there are two species of Raccoons, but these 

 very closely allied, the Crab-eating Raccoon of South America (P. cancri- 

 vorus) differing chiefly from the Northern species in its short coat. The 

 long handsome grizzled fur of the common Northern Raccoon is a familiar 

 constituent of rugs, and appended to these are seen the pretty black-and- 

 yellow-ringed tails of the animals. In size and general form the Raccoon 

 is not unlike a Fox, especially about the face, which is black about the 

 eyes, forming a sort of mask. The tail is, however, much shorter and 

 less bushy than a Fox's, and the peculiar humping of the back as the 

 animal walks, the fact that it goes on the soles of its feet and not on 

 the toes, together with the full development of all the five toes, and their 

 almost finger-like freedom of action, marks out the creature as something 

 quite different from the Dog tribe. 



Being common over North America generally, the 'Coon, to use the 

 familiar abbreviation of its name, is a very well-known animal, although, 

 from its very nocturnal habits, one that is not frequently seen unless 

 hunted for. It passes the day in a hole or fork in some large tree, rolled 

 up with its head between its fore-paws, and at night prowls about in search 

 of food, which consists practically of anything it can get, vegetable or 

 animal. It is a great robber of hen-roosts, and also has some idea of 

 fishing, adroitly hooking out the unfortunate fish with one of its nimble 

 paws, which are almost as hand-like as a Monkey's. It is very destructive 

 to maize-crops before the grain has hardened. 



