THE ORDERS OF MAMMALS 



425 



a high bounty for wolf scalps. The young, usually five in num- 

 ber, are born early in May. The hyaenas (Fig. 290) which live 

 in Africa and Asia are closely related to the " dogs " of this 

 country. 



The best-known members of the bear family in North America 

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

 brown bear. The polar bear frequents the coasts of the Arctic 

 Ocean, feeding 

 principally upon 

 seals, walruses, 

 and fish. The 

 black, brown, or 

 cinnamon bear is 

 a smaller species 

 abundant through- 

 out the forested 

 regions of North 

 America, where 

 not exterminated. 

 It is omnivorous, 

 being especially 

 fond of fish, blue- 

 berries, and honey. The grizzly bear of the Rocky Mountains 

 (Fig. 291) is now rare except in the Yellowstone Park and cer- 

 tain other limited localities. 



The marten family contains a large number of small fur-bearing 

 animals. The otter, mink, weasel, marten, wolverine, skunk, 

 and badger are well known North American species. The 

 otter (Fig. 292) is over three feet in length. It makes its home in 

 a burrow in the bank of a lake or stream and is very fond of water, 

 being adapted for swimming by webbed feet and a flattened tail. 

 Fish constitute its chief food. Otter fur is very valuable, but it 

 cannot be obtained now except in certain parts of Alaska, where 

 the natives capture the sea otter, a single skin of which is worth 

 in some cases one thousand dollars. 



FIG. 291. Grizzly bear. (From Ingersoll.) 



