Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-04-05
RAccooN AND SKUNK.

RACcooN AND SKUNK.
a Close Observer OF tho Two Creatures
Talks About Their Habits.
Though careless observers might not
see any considerable resemblance in
the raccoon to the bear. yet it may not
be improperly called little bear with
a long tail. The raccoon is omnivor-
Gus. 1t eats flesh of any kind. preying
upon small birds and animals. when it
can catch them, and sometimes max
ing destructive forays into the poultry
yard. 1t devours birds eggs when
ever within reach. procuring the eggs
OF wood-peckers by thrusting its paws
into their holes It also watches tur-
ties when depositing their eggs in the
sand. and. upon their departure. digs
them up. This animal is fond of fish
and displays remarkable dexterity in
capturing them with its fore paws 1t
is also most successful frog hunter.
and may be frequently tracked along
the little streams where it has
been searching for frogs crawfish.
water snails and dead mussels. In
summer, frogs often form large por-
ton of its food, when some species
leave the water and therefore are
easily caught Insects are eaten to
some extent. as are slugs and snails.
1t also feeds largely upon various
vegetables in summer; and its particu-
lar fondness for green corn is well
known to every farmer When this
grain is in the milk. visit may be ex-
pected. if the home of the raccoons
happens to be near the field; and, in
deed. they will sometimes travel a
mile or two to obtain a feast of their
favorite food. They pull down the
stalks, or break off the ears, and tear
ing open the husks. gnaw off the juicy
kernels. generally destroying far more
than they eat They do not carry the
corn away. In winter they will oc-
casionally est the ripened grain, and
have been known to visit open corn
cribs for that purpose. They are also
said to eat acorns and to gnaw through
pumpkins to procure the seeds. Prob
ably. like the bear, they feed more OF
less on berries. In confinement they
are exceedingly fond of sugar.
The raccoon exhibits q rowing dis
position. and the males, in summer.
frequently change their places Of
abode. Its usual retreat is in hollow
tree. and it never digs for itself.
though in the forest as well as on the
prairie it will occupy the deserted bur-
rows of other animals, and even rear
its progeny in sncf habitations. From
three to six young are produced. These
grow rather slowly, but are active and
make pleasant pets. They exhibit a
remarkable degree of intelligence, and
their monkey-like tricks are very
amusing. Though the raccoon is
chiefly nocturnal it is sometimes found
feeding in cornfields by day. once
observed one with its head and shoul-
ders thrust out of hole in a large
hickory tree. in which position, if un-
disturbed, it would remain for hours,
enjoying the sunshine. This mammal
uses its paws with great facility as
hands, always holding objects in both
at once. but not commonly using them
while eating. Its hearing is remarka-
bly, acute. and it seems to depend more
upon this sense as protection from
danger than other animals of this class.
The skunk, unlike the raccoon. is
very slow of foot, but, nevertheless,
succeeds in overtaking many small
animals. 1t feeds upon the lesser
mammals. young birds, eggs, reptiles
and insects. sometimes even capturing
rabbits by pursuing them into their
holes. l have often followed the
skunk in the woods, where it had
taken the track of rabbit, like the
mink. and once observed where one
had dragged the body through the
snow to its burrOw. 1t is large
feeder. and. owing to the large num-
Der of insects and meadow mice it de-
stroys. is probably of sufficient service
to the farmer to atone for its occa-
sional attacks on the poultry; though.
when it has once found its way to the
poultry yard or hen-roost. its de
struction of fowls and eggs Is very
great. The skunk prefers Il dry. hilly.
and, if accessible. a rocky locality. It
digs readily. and excavatcs burrows
for its habitatiOn. / have opened its
burrows and found that it digs hole
five to ten feet long and foot or two
below the surface; at the end large
chamber is excavated. and in this u
soft nest of grass is placed = Cor.
Ohio Farmer.
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