THE HONEY RATEL 



the interior of a hollow tree is sometimes attained 

 by burrowing a hole amongst the roots and scraping 

 out the rotten pith. Another plan is to actually 

 ascend the tree and enter it from the top of the 

 trunk, where in some species of old native trees a 

 hole is usually found. 



It is stated that the ratel does not climb trees. 

 True, it cannot ascend a tree with a smooth trunk 

 if there are no branches or twigs within reach ; 

 but should the trunk be rough and uneven on the 

 outside, the ratel obtains a grip with its claws 

 and slowly and carefully ascends. If there are 

 twigs or branches within reach the animal finds 

 no difficulty in ascending trees. Reaching up, a 

 twig or branch is hooked with the large, curved, 

 horny claws of the front foot. The body is then 

 drawn up with the assistance of the back feet 

 gripping the trunk, and the other fore paw is hooked 

 over the branch. Then, standing on its hind legs, 

 it once again reaches up to the nearest twig or 

 branch above it, and so on. Wherever there is 

 a foothold the ratel will climb, even up the rough 

 face of a precipice. It is quite indifferent to a fall 

 which would seriously injure or kill most other 

 kinds of animals : this is owing to its loose, thick, 

 and tough hide. A ratel which I have in captivity 

 tumbled from the balcony of a public building to 

 the asphalt floor below, a distance of forty feet. It 

 fell with a thud on its back, but was up again in an 

 instant, none the worse. I noticed when it lost its 

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