48 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



misapplied. The woolly fur and toes are well displayed in the 

 specimen depicted in Fig. 37 ; so also are the long muzzle, prominent 

 eyes and raised ears. 



Those who keep Lemurs as pets must be careful not to annoy 

 their charges, as a bite from them is something to be remembered. 

 Whilst we cannot hope in this book to deal at length with the best 

 methods of keeping animals in captivity, it may be pointed out with 

 regard to this species that although fed in confinement upon bread 

 and fruit, the Lemurs in their wild state also vary their fruitarian 

 dietary by partaking of small birds and lizards. 



There are ten species of Lemurs found in Madagascar, the Ring- 

 Tailed Lemur being characterized by a well-marked appendage 

 after which it has been named. Perhaps the Ruffled species is the 

 handsomest of them all, the ruff round the neck and the large tail 

 being especially striking. When sleeping these animals take the 

 precaution to roll into a ball and curl the tail round the body, for the 

 purpose of warmth, and when a number are thus seen close together 

 the effect is very delightful to notice. 



KINKAJOU. Another pet distinguished at once by its tail is 

 the Kinkajou (Fig. 38) from South America. It is a heavier-looking 

 creature than the Lemur, and belongs to a very different family, 

 claiming kinship with the Raccoons, one of which we shall meet 

 with presently. The older naturalists, however, placed it among the 

 Lemurs. 



That the Kinkajou deserves its name may be evidenced by an 

 examination of the use to which it puts its tail. Better by far to 

 watch the living animal if possible, but, failing that, the photographs 

 (Figs. 38 and 39) both show the flexible appendage to advantage. 

 It is from two Greek and Latin words that the Kinkajou has derived 

 its name, which, being translated, mean "twisted tail." It possesses 

 the habit when it goes to sleep of rolling into a ball, like the Lemurs, 

 but, unlike them, has a foot webbed almost to the claws. In 

 captivity it is interesting to observe the animal holding its food in 

 one "hand" and preparing it for reception with the other, and the 

 long tongue aids the creature in licking out insects from their hiding- 

 places. In a wild state it feeds on birds and their eggs, small 

 mammals, honey and fruits. 



The rounded and broad head, low body and short muzzle are 

 worth noticing, as compared with the Lemur. The fur is short and 

 soft, and in colour pale yellowish-brown. Like the Lemur, it is a 



