92 Order CARNIVORA 



terior and posterior portions of the zygomatic arches ap- 

 proximately equal in width, fig. 61a 17 



17. Length of skull more than 55 mm. (21/^ in.) ; auditory bullae 



about as long as upper premolar-molar series in each row 



mink, Mustela vison 



Length of skull less than 55 mm.; auditory bullae longer 

 than upper premolar-molar series 18 



18. Length of skull less than 33 mm. (114 in.) 



least weasel, Mustela rixosa 



Length of skull more than 33 mm. long-tailed wea- 



sel, Mustela frenata, and short-tailed weasel, M. erminea r 



URSUS AMERICANUS Pallas 

 Black Bear 



Description. — The black bear, the largest carnivorous ani- 

 mal in Illinois within historic times, is recognizable by its large 

 size, short tail, short black or dark brown fur, and brown 

 muzzle. On each foot it has five toes with claws. 



The skull is nearly a foot long; the back teeth are broad and 

 flat (for crushing, not cutting). Dental formula: I 3/3, C 1/1, 

 Pm 4/4, M 2/3. 



This bear is truly omnivorous. In winter, it sometimes sleeps 

 for periods of several days, but does not truly hibernate. 



Distribution. — The black bear existed in the wooded and 

 swamp areas of Illinois during the last century. It disap- 

 peared first from the northern and central portions of the state; 

 some individuals remained in the southern part until the latter 

 half of the 1800's. The subspecies which occurred in Illinois 

 was Ursus americanus americanus Pallas. The present range of 

 the species includes most of Alaska and Canada, with southern 

 extensions along the Sierra Nevada to central California, along 

 the Rocky Mountains to the Mexican Plateau, in the great 

 Lakes region to central Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. 

 and along the Appalachians to northern Georgia; the range in- 

 cludes also Florida and the Gulf Coastal Plain. 



PROCYON LOTOR (Linnaeus) 



Raccoon Coon 



Description. — The raccoon, fig. 62, is a moderately large, 

 stocky animal weighing usually 10 to 26 pounds when adult. 



*This species may occur in Illinois, but there are no official records of it. 



