232 CALIFORNIA MAMMALS. 



Family MustelidSB. (Weasels, etc.) 

 Plantigrade or digitigrade ; anal scent glands usually present 

 and often highly developed ; five toes on all the feet ; tail long ; 

 rostrum' short ; sectorial teeth usually but little modified ; molars 

 usually not tuberculate; teeth 32 to 38. 



The Mustelidx is a large and important family, containing 

 many species of commercial importance, and other species notable 

 for their disagreeable odor, or for other characteristics. The 

 family is found in nearly all parts of the world except Australia. 

 There are fifteen or more genera, divided in three subfamilies, 

 and nearly a hundred species. They are almost exclusively car- 

 nivorous, feeding on birds, mammals or fish caught by them- 

 selves. Some species are digitigrade, but more are plantigrade. 

 Most species are terrestrial, some are acjuatic, and a few are 

 partly arboreal. Most species are nocturnal. Some species have 

 very marked seasonal changes of pelage, while many wear the 

 same colors all the year. 



Subfamily Lutrinse. ( Otters. ) 

 Feet webbed; body long; skull very short and wide; teeth 

 blunt, the molars tuberculate. 



Genus Latax Gloger. (A sea otter.) 

 Fore feet small ; hind feet large, fully webbed, flipper-like 

 but haired on both surfaces; teeth comparatively smooth, mas- 

 sive. 



Dental formula, I, 3 — 2, C, i — i ; P, 3 — 3 ; M, i — 2, 'X2:=32. 



Latax lutris nereis Mkrriam. (A daughter of Nereus, 

 a Grecian sea god.) 



SOUTHERN SEA OTTER. 



Dark liver brown, with a frosted appearance, the "frosting" 

 being caused by a scanty intermixture of long coarse hairs in 



