Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-10-30
ALL ABOUT "BRER COON"
A NOCTURNAL PROWLER OF
THE WEST AND SOUTH.
The Structure and Habits of the Rsccoon
which Is Common In America
Kindred Animals In Other
Countries.


though its coat OF long coarse hair
makes it look yet stouter than it real
ly is. 1t is about the size OF badger.
and has sharp-pointed muzzle, rather
short ears and a moderately long,
bushy. but cylindrically shaped tail,
marked with black and white rings
The general color of its hair is grayish
brown and there is a light-colored
patch over either eye and on the side
OF the muzzle. The limbs are of
medium length and each paw has five
toes. Those OF the forepaw can be
stretched wide apart, and all the digits
have arched and pointed claws which
are not retractable, like those OF cat
When standing, the soles OF the feet
are wholly applied to the ground, so
that the animal is what is called planti-
grade, although in walking the heel is
somewhat raised. Its grinding or
molar teeth are mostly broad and
rather fiat with moderate prominences,
and no remarkably sharp blades
adapted for cutting flesh. Its name OF
raccoon. Familiarity abbreviated into
coon, is q corruption OF its Indian
designation, arath-cone. Its natural
range extends all over the United
States, both north to Alaska and south
TO Costa Rica, attaining its largest
size in the South.
1t stirs but very little by day, and
only when the weather is dull and
cloudy. No North American animals
are more strictly nocturnal, excep t
bats and flying squirrels. And it not
only sleeps by day, but also during
tho winter. Yet it makes no specially
comfortable nest wherein TO repose,
but only coils itself up in the hollow
tree for it chooses no doubt for
greater security an elevated position.
There is a Southern species called the
crab eating raccoon. but as we see
that term could. in fact, also be applied
TO the Northern kind. The Southern
one has, as might be expected, shorter
fur. and il has also stronger teeth, but
toherwise is very like the Northern
kind, both in structure and habits. 1t
is to be found all over South America
as far south as the Rio Negro.
Two beasts, closely allied TO the rae
coon but more slender. in build and
with larger tails, are found-one in
some parts of the United States and in
Mexico. 1t has been captured in Ohio.
and in Oregon northwest OF Jackson
Vile. The other comes from Central
America. Catamiztli was a name APP
piled to this kind in Mexico. and it is
also called cacomistle and the cat
squirrel by the Texans. It's real re-
lationship TO the raccoon was long un-
suspected. as it was taken TO be one
form OF the very different group of
civets. These two beasts go more on
the tips of their toes than do the rae
coons They are readily tanned, and
are made pets Of by the miners of Cali
fornia- They dwell in woods, and
make moss-lined nest in a hollow
tree and are often betrayed by chips
Of wood which they will gnaw of
round the mouth OF the hole they in
habit. Their food consists OF small
kinds OF beasts and also insects. They
are useful for destroying mice and rats,
but are very destructive TO poultry.
and are naturally bold, and will fight
furiously with claws and teeth. They
prefer TO inhabit woods traversed by
water courses. Two more species OF
animals, also entirely confined to the
new world, are known as coatimundis,
or COATS. one of which is confined TO
Mexico and Central America, and the
other to South America from Surinam
to Paraguay. They are not so thickly
built as are the raccoons, and have
longer and more slender and tapering
tails. but their main popularity con-
sists in the possession OF very
elongated and mobile suout or short
proboscis The COATS live mainly in
trees going about in troops OF from
about eight to twenty individuals.
They are, also, like. raccoons. indis-
criminate feeders, eating fruit and
insects as well as birds and eggs.
South and Central America produce
another kindred animal though very
distant in aspect and organization.
This is. the kinkajou, or potto, strict
ly forest creature. found in the warmer
parts of South and Central America
1t has long body but short limbs
which are we'll fitted for clinging 10
the trunks and branches Of trees by
the very strong and sharp claws with
which all the toes are provided. But
1t is still better fitted for arboreal life
by means OF its tail. which is very long,
and also strongly prehensile, like the
tails OF so many American monkeys.
The kinkajou is of about the size of
rather small cat, and Is clothed with
short dense fur OF a uniform pale
yellowish- brown color. 1t has broad.
round head. with very short ears and
an extremely long and very extensile
tongue which is. no doubt of much
use to it in eating honey. OF which it
is very fond. although 1t will also de-
YOUR eggs and small birds and beasts.
II is nocturnal animal OF rather
gentle disposition. and it Is easily
tanned. In captivity it will live on
oranges and bananas, which IL eats
greedily. II lis not uncommonly found
In holea Of trees whera IL lipa CON.