THE HONEY RATEL 
the interior of a hollow tree is sometimes attained 
by burrowing a hole amongst the roots and scraping 
out the rotten pith. Another plan is to actually 
ascend the tree and enter it from the top of the 
trunk, where in some species of old native trees a 
hole is usually found. 
It is stated that the ratel does not climb trees. 
True, it cannot ascend a tree with a smooth trunk 
if there are no branches or twigs within reach ; 
but should the trunk be rough and uneven on the 
outside, the ratel obtains a grip with its claws 
and slowly and carefully ascends. If there are 
twigs or branches within reach the animal finds 
no difficulty in ascending trees. Reaching up, a 
twig or branch is hooked with the large, curved, 
horny claws of the front foot. The body is then 
drawn up with the assistance of the back feet 
‘gripping the trunk, and the other fore paw is hooked 
over the branch. Then, standing on its hind legs, 
it once again reaches up to the nearest twig or 
branch above it, and so on. Wherever there is 
a foothold the ratel will climb, even up the rough 
face of a precipice. It is quite indifferent to a fall 
which would seriously injure or kill most other 
kinds of animals: this is owing to its loose, thick, 
and tough hide. A ratel which I have in captivity 
tumbled from the balcony of a public building to 
the asphalt floor below, a distance of forty feet. It 
fell with a thud on its back, but was up again in an 
instant, none the worse. I noticed when it lost its 
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