MAMMALS OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK 



93 



From "Miwmtli of Lake Taboe" by Robert T. Orr. Courtesy of publisher, California Academy of Sciences. 



SPOTTED SKUNK 



Two sorts are in Yosemite, the north- 

 ern California striped skunk and the 

 California spotted skunk (see illustra- 

 tions). The former is about the size of 

 a cat, the latter half that or less. 



The spotted skunk is also known as 

 "civet cat," but, like "polecat," that 

 name belongs to an Old World mammal. 

 There is no special tendency toward hy- 

 drophobia in this species. 



Both species are mainly nocturnal and 

 eat "anything." Insects, mammals, car- 

 rion and fruit ar^ largely the diet. It is 

 doubtful that they go into profound hi- 

 bernation in this climate. 



Despite their chemical defense, skunks 



are caught and eaten by some predators. 

 Fishers and Pacific horned owls, among 

 others, often take them. 



The California river otter is dark 

 brown in color and runs from } l / 2 to 4 

 feet in length. Otters are well suited to 

 life in the water, with all four feet 

 webbed and the body streamlined. They 

 swim well enough to catch fish and frogs 

 for food. On land, they have a "loping" 

 gait, arching the body greatly. 



Uncommon, otters may appear at lakes 

 in the northwest part of the park. They 

 are usually quite shy. They often make 

 slides in mud or snow, leading to the 



From cast by M. V. Hood f TOm ca ,t y y m. v. Hood 



Tracks of Cottontail Rabbit (above) are Tracks of striped ikunk. Hind foot on left, 



frequently mistaken for spotted skunk. 



front, right. Six-inch pencil. 



