HABITS. 7 
HABITS. 
Of the habits of this species in a wild state very little is definitely known. 
According to Verrill’s (:07) account it is “‘nocturnal, and spends the day in caves, 
holes in the coral limestone rocks and in hollow trees and logs.” At night it 
leaves its retreat and comes forth to feed, ‘‘rooting in the earth and cultivated 
grounds, tearing rotten logs and trees to pieces with its powerful front claws, and 
feeding on ants, grubs, insects, vegetables, reptiles, and fruit, and at times 
proving destructive to poultry. On several occasions it has been known to 
enter the houses in search of roaches and other vermin, and has been captured 
in rat-traps.”’ Mr. Verrill’s wash drawing shows the animal with tail bent 
around at the side of the body, and the mounted specimen in the American 
Museum of Natural History is prepared in a similar manner. Such a posture 
for the tail is, however, probably never assumed, as its stiffness admits of but 
slight lateral flexure, and the muscle masses actuating its movements are almost 
wholly dorsal and ventral. In the living animals the tail is held straight out 
behind, somewhat depressed, but slightly elevated at the tip to permit it to 
clear the ground. The tip alone seems capable of slight lateral movement. 
The tail serves very effectively as a support when the animal is eating. It 
then throws itself back, with the soles of the hind feet resting their full length 
on the ground, and the powerful tail acting as a third leg of a tripod. In this 
position one or both of the fore feet can be lifted from the ground. 
In feeding, the animals walk clumsily about with a stiff waddling gait, 
sniffing here and there at the objects that come in their path. The toes only 
are in contact with the ground as they walk, while the metatarsals are quite 
clear. They eat greedily of chopped meat, and will take lettuce as well by 
way of variety. Meat they give considerable mastication, opening the jaws 
widely as they chew. That they are capable of very quick movements, in 
spite of their apparent clumsiness, is seen when two or three are eating together 
and disagree as to the possession of some morsel of food. If one attempts to 
rob another, like a flash the possessor of the dainty throws its body around 
away from the pursuer and continues chewing greedily. Often one will seize 
its companion by the snout, and if wickedly inclined can bite severely. Usually, 
however, they seem peaceful enough. Rarely a shrill ery is uttered, as Mr. 
George Nelson tells me, who has heard it while tending the captive specimens. 
At other times, they constantly give an explosive sniff as if clearing the nose. 
They are mainly active at night or in the late afternoon, and seem to dig over 
