THE RATEL 

 Mellivora ratel, Sparrm. 



Somali name, Hor 



Description. — The general colour of the ratal is jet black 

 with a broad band of grey extending the whole length of the back 

 from one inch above the eye to about half-way on to the tail. 

 There is generally a more or less distinct white stripe separating 

 the grey of the back from the black of the underparts. The fur is 

 coarse and not very thick. The ears are quite small in comparison 

 to the size of the animal. The claws on the forefeet are long 

 and powerful, and specially adapted for digging purposes. 



Measurements of the stretched skin of a fine male shot by 

 me on the Arori plain : 



Head and body 896 mm. 



Tail 269 „ 



Dentition.—?. |, c. \,p. l,m.\\ total 32. 



Distribution. — The ratel is to be found both on Guban, 

 within thirty miles of the sea, and also in the Haud and Nogal. 



Habits. — The ratel lives in holes in the ground, and when 

 pursued will invariably make for the nearest one. Though 

 nocturnal in its habits it is constantly seen about in the daytime. 

 I have seen it singly and in small families of four or five individuals. 

 It cannot travel very fast, and is not difficult to overtake on foot. 

 When in motion it lumbers along like a diminutive bear on all 

 fours, and when hunted it will sometimes turn on its pursuer in the 

 most savage manner. 



The ratel is said to be omnivorous, but personally I have 

 usually seen it going along slowly scratching the earth up for 

 insects, etc. 



The Somalis are very afraid to tackle it, as they firmly believe 

 that when it bites a man it renders him impotent. 



S3 



