2. Smaller, generally neglected, species. 
Opossums (3 species) 
Gray fox 
Squirrels (6 species) 
Rabbits (3 species) 
3. Species which should be protected by law. 
Three-toed anteater 
Otter 
‘Monkeys (3 species) Great Anteater 
Porcupine Manatee 
Without doubt, the most widely hunted game mammal of the Republic is the deer, 
hunted by sportemen for the sport and by the Indians for the meat. ‘The three big cats, 
jeguar, puma, and ocelot, likewise receive considerable attention, The other species listed 
ae generally bmnted are seldom hunted individually, but are 6ften killed incidental to the 
hunt for the more favored game. It is doubtful that the quest for these less favored species 
could be much encouraged since they occur most abundant:y in areas where thse more favored 
species are aleo most abundant. If in the future the number of deer and big cats should be 
considerably reduced by hunting pressure, these others may become much more important than 
they are today, Most are lowland species or occur only sparingly in the highlands, 
_ There are species which are common in many parte of the highlands, but they are 
almost completely overlooked by the sportsmen, who as a result find it necessary to travel 
down to the lowlands to enjoy their sport, These species are small, mat when hunted with 
a small-bore rifle, a .22 caliber for instance, they offer as much test of skill as the 
larger game, even if not as much danger or thrill, These species are the opossuns, squirrels, 
and rabbits, Besides offering good sport, they also reward the hunter with tasty meat, an 
attribute often lacking in the larger game species, Another mammal of the neglected category 
is the fox. It is almost everywhere abundant , and for the owner of hounds offers excellent 
sport in the chase, 
A few species, because of their curious appearance, large size, and inability to 
make a rapid escape from danger, are ruthlessly killed by some hunters, merely for the sake 
of killing. While these animals are of no economic importance, they add color and interest 
to the forests, and an attempt should be made to save them so that later generations may 
have the pleasure of seeing them, The otter with its shiny fur and complete Mastery of the 
water; the monkeys with their acrobatics and amusing antics; the procupine with its peculiar 
Bpiny coat; the anteaters with their amazingly long snouts; and the stolid manetee with its 
peculiar aquatic habits. Several have already grown scarce in Guatemala end have been completely 
exterminated in some sections. They have no value whatsoever as game, and should be given the 
protection of laws, 

1, 
Names,--Latin: Didelphis marsupialis 
Guatemalan: Taquasing, Zorro 
English: Central American Opossun 
Description.--A large opossum, with general grayish coloration; long guard haire extending 
beyond the short woolly underfur; naked black ears; pointed snout; and long, naked, scaly 
tail, black at the base,white toward the tip, 
Distinguishing Characteristice.—-No other Guatemalan mammal of similar size and coloration 
has a long naked tail, except Philander opossum (No. 2) which lacks the long guard hairs. of 
the present species, ; 
Measurenents.~-Three adults from Masatenange and San Jose average: Total length, 821 mm; 
tail, 425 mm.; hind foot, 61 mm,; ear, 58 mn, 
o--Central America and northern South America from Braril and Peru north 
to Texas, 
Distribution in Guatemala,--Common in all parts of the Republic, at least up to 6,000 ft, 
elevation, but rare or absent in heavy rain forests, 
Habitat.--Scrubby and open woodlands, banana plantations, coffee fincas, thickets; often 
living close to human habitations, 
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