THE OTTER 67 



THE MARTEN FAMILY 



Mustelidae 



Otter, Mink, Weasel, Marten: These four types are marked by long, 

 slender bodies, very short legs, flattened heads, and general activity 

 on foot. 



Wolverine : The greatest glutton and pest in this Family. 



Skunk: Aggressive and destructive pests; valuable fur-bearers. 



Badger: A fat-bodied, inert, and practically harmless burrower. 



The great demand for fur, both for ornament and use, 

 has brought about the systematic destruction of all fur- 

 bearing animals. Many species that once were numerous 

 have now become very rare. Formerly the wearers of fur 

 accepted nothing less desirable than beaver, otter, mink, and 

 marten. To-day, the fur of the skunk, raccoon, fox, lynx, 

 black bear, rabbit, and even the domestic cat are in active 

 demand for garments and for trimmings. 



The Otter'^ is as fond of water as a seal, and quite as 

 much at home in fresh water as on land. Its regular food 

 consists of fish, in the capture of which it is very expert. 

 It has webbed feet, a thick, pointed tail distinctly flattened 

 for use in swimming, and it is clothed with a thick coat of 

 very fine, dark-brown fur. Strange to say, when fairly treated, 

 the Otter is a good-tempered animal, tames easily when 

 caught young, and makes an interesting pet. In a public 

 park, one Otter is worth more to the public than twenty 

 beavers. 



In the days when they were numerous, and less perse- 

 cuted than now, it was no uncommon thing for a party of 



' Lu'tra can-a-den'sis. 



