CHAPTER VII. 
THE SMALLER CARNIVORA. 
THE Coatis. 
HE Coatis are small arboreal creatures, with the habits of a raccoon and squirrel 
fairly proportioned. They are flesh-eaters, but active and playful. Their long pig- 
like snouts give them an unpleasant appearance. They inhabit Mexico and Central 
and South America as far as Paraguay. Several specimens are generally to be seen at the 
Zoological Gardens. Their habits are much the same as those of the small tree climbing cats, 
but with something of the badger added. Insects and worms, as well as birds and small 
animals, form their food. 
THE PANDAS AND KINKajou. 
Among the small carnivorous mammals the Bear-cat, or PANDA, is a very interesting crea- 
ture. Its colour is striking—a beautiful red-chestnut above, the lower surface jet-black, the tail 
long and ringed. The quality of the fur is fine also. It is found in the Eastern Himalaya, and 
is as large as a badger. The Great Panna, from Eastern Tibet, is a much larger, short-tailed, 
black-and-white animal, once thought to be a bear. The Kinxayou has a prehensile tail, and 
uses its paws as hands so readily that it was formerly placed among the lemurs. It is a native 
of Southern and intertropical America. Nocturnal, and living in the great forests, it is seldom 
seen by man. Its head is 
round and cat-like, its feet 
are the same, but with non- 
retractile claws, and it has a 
long, full tail. It has a long 
tongue, with which it can lick 
out insects from the crevices 
and holes of trees. Baron 
von Humboldt says that it 
attacks the nests of wild bees. 
It uses its tongue to draw 
objects of food towards it, 
even if they are not living. 
A pleasant description of this 
animal appeared in Charles 
Knight’s “Museum of Ani- 
mated Nature,” published 
Js many years ago: “In its as- 
i aca accanccaalee ree eee ee pect there is something of 
This very rare animal is found on the high plateau of Tibet gentleness and good-nature. 
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