THE RATEL. 6 3 



THE RATEL, 



IN THE ROYAL MENAGERY, TOWER OF LONDON. 



It is to La Caille, in his voyage to the Cape, that we are indebted for the first clear description of 

 the Ratel, which he designates as the Blair eau puant ; and we are also indebted to Sparrman for much 

 accurate information respecting this extraordinary animal. 



In size the ratel nearly approaches the badger, and in form it has some remote resemblance to that 

 animal. The whole of the upper surface of the body is remarkably broad and flat, comprehending 

 also the top of the head and the neck ; which, as well as the entire plane of the back, and the root of 

 the tail, are of a dull ashen gray, rather white towards the head, and forming a singular contrast with 

 the under parts, the muzzle, the contour of the eyes and of the ears, the limbs, and the remainder of 

 the tail, which are throughout perfectly black. 



The hide of the ratel is so thick and tough, that there is scarcely any way of destroying him, but 

 by beating him about the head, or plunging a knife into his body. The shortness of his legs will not 

 permit him to make his escape by flight when pursued by hounds. The hair all over the body, 

 although seemingly smooth, is remarkably stiff and wiry. The claws on the fore-feet are extremely 

 long, and although not very strongly curved, are of considerable power, being formed for burrowing, 

 an operation which, according to the testimony of all writers, is performed by this animal with 

 uncommon dexterity. It has five toes upon each foot, each of the toes being surmounted by unre- 

 tractile claws, which are slightly arched, and grooved along their under surface. Of these claws the 

 middle three are much longer than the lateral, and the internal one is placed far behind the others. 

 The total length of the animal is about three feet, of which its tail forms little more than a sixth. Its 

 height does not exceed ten or twelve inches, and the length of its fore-claws, when not worn down by 

 constant use, is about an inch and a half. 



The ratel is formed by nature to be the adversary of bees, and the unwelcome visitor of their habi- 

 tations. In regard to this singular habit of the animal, the authority of Sparrman has been generally 

 received, although subsequent accounts, particularly those received from General Hardwicke, impart 

 to it a character very much resembling the ferocious and disgusting one of the hysena. Still, however, 

 it must be borne in mind, that the ratel of India, and that of central Africa, are distinct species of 

 the viverra genus, and in their habits bear little or no resemblance to each other. Sparrman thus 

 describes the ratel of Africa in its pursuits after the mellifluous stores of the bees : — " Towards sunset 

 he issues from his hole, and immediately commences the execution of his cunning plans, for the 

 ■destruction of the hives. He places himself before his hole, sitting upright, and holding one of his 

 paws before his eyes, in order to modify the rays of the sun, and at the same time to procure a distinct 

 view of the object of his pursuit. Peering thus on each side of its paw opposite to the sun, lie knows, 

 when he sees any bees on the wing, that they are proceeding straight to their habitation ; and, conse- 

 quently, he takes care to keep in the same direction, in order to discover their retreat. Should it how- 

 ever happen that the bees, contrary to their usual custom, have established themselves in the hollow 

 of some tree, at a considerable distance from the ground, the animal, unable to climb, finds himself 

 foiled in his expectations, and in the first transports of his rage at his disappointment, he wreaks his 

 vengeance upon the tree, by biting the trunk around, and these marks are certain indications to the 

 Hottentots that a bees' nest is to be found there." 



17 s 



