SMALL WILD ANIMALS 57 



skunk naturally sleeps in an underground burrow, and if a 

 barrel, with a wooden shute attached, be sunk in the ground, 

 it will take advantage of the retreat. Skunks are chiefly in- 

 sectivorous, but in captivity will eat meat of all sorts, birds 

 and small animals, frogs, fish, cereals, dog biscuit and vari- 

 ous fruits and vegetables. 



The skunks belong to the family Mustelid^, which in- 

 cludes the weasels, mink, wolverine, etc. Numerous species 

 and subspecies are distributed throughout North and Central 

 America. The form found in the northeastern United 

 States is the Common Skunk (Mephitis mephitis putida). 

 There is much variability in the relation between black and 

 white in the fur, those with full white dorsal stripes being 

 of much less commercial value than those which are almost 

 entirely black. There is no doubt of the possibility of 

 establishing, by selection and careful breeding, a strain of 

 skunks with the markings much reduced. 



The Woodchuck 



Although the woodchuck is one of our commonest mam- 

 mals, it is seldom kept as a pet. The reason for this neglect 

 is obscure, for, if caught when young, it has many endear- 

 ing qualities. Adults when first captured are wild and 

 vicious, and since they can bite severely, are not suited for 

 pets. 



If the woodchuck is tame enough to be allowed its freedom 

 at least part of the time, its cage need not be of large size. 

 It is generally best, however, to arrange an outdoor run, in 

 which the animal can live in comfort. It will be necessary 

 either to cover the top or arrange an overhang and to run 

 the wire well into the ground, with an inward twist at 

 the bottom. A barrel should be sunk, with a drain pipe or 

 wooden runway, to serve as a nest. Hay or other material 



