"'" CARD 271 I

GEOFFROY' S CAT
"""" ________________ GROUP 1: MArv1MALS
... ORDER
~ Carnivora
FAMILY
Felidae
GENUS SPECIES
Felis geoffroyi
Ceoffroy's cat is one of the smallest spotted cats that inhabit
the forests of South America. It rarely leaves its wooded
home, and little is known of its life in the wild.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 1 ~ - 2 ~ ft.
Tail, 10-14 in.
Weight: 4-8 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 1 ~
years. Male, 2 years.
Mating season: October to May.
Gestation: 2 ~ months.
No. of young: 1-3.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary; active at night.
Diet: Small mammals, birds, rep-
tiles, and fish.
Range of Geoffroy's cat.
DISTRIBUTION
Lifespan: 11 years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
Found in upland forest and scrubland in Bolivia, southeastern
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile.
CONSERVATION
There are 28 species in the genus
Felis, including the ocelot, Felis
parda/is; the margay, F. wiedii; and
the mountain cat, F. jacobita. The
5 recognized subspecies of Geof-
froy's cat vary in basic coloring.
Hunting of Geoffroy's cat for the fur trade peaked in the early
1980s when 80,000 skins were exported yearly. Now that this
trade is illegal, the eat's numbers are thought to be substantial.
FEATURES OF GEOFFROY'S CAT
Senses: Keen sight and
hearing pick up the slightest
movement of potential prey.
Feet: Have strong,
retractable claws
used to grip tree
trunks and branches
and to hold prey
firmly during a kill.
Coat: Coloring and mark-
ings vary depending on the
area. In the north of the
cat's range, the coat's base
color is ocher. There are
small, round black spots
and a dark band running
down the back.
MCMXCII IMP BVIIMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET'" PRINTED IN U.S.A.
VARIATIONS IN THE COAT
Tail: Spotted at
the base, with
rings toward
the tip. Aids
balance as the
cat moves
through the
branches.
0160200621 PACKET 62
Named after the French naturalist Geoffroy St. Hilaire,
this small, agile cat of the South American forests was
endangered by hunting for the fur trade. There was an
increased demand for its beautiful, densely spotted coat
when trade in the furs of larger cats became illegal in
recent years. Now, hunting of Geoffroy's cat is prohibited.
~ HABITAT
Geoffroy's cat lives in the forest,
but it avoids dense areas. It pre-
fers high, rocky ground with
scrubby trees and shrubs. It
can be found at elevations of
over 10,000 feet, which is too
high for most other cats.
An agile climber, Geoffroy's
cat spends most of its time in
the branches. It climbs by jump-
ing up the tree trunk, gripping
with its claws. In the branches,
it relies on balance and agility
to move around.
Like most male cats, the male
Right: In daytime Geoffroy's cat
is inactive, resting in the branches
ofa tree.
Geoffroy's cat marks his territo-
ry to warn off other males. He
sprays tree trunks and branches
with urine, and he also rubs his
scent glands on the branches
of his main hunting grounds.
~ BREEDING
Geoffroy's cats are solitary and
come together only in order to
mate. When the female is in
heat, she gives off a distinctive
scent that attracts the male.
But she remains aggressive
and fights him off until she is
ready to mate. After mating,
she turns on the male again
and chases him off.
A pregnant female comes
down from her usual home in
the branches to prepare a den
between rocks that are con-
cealed by undergrowth. She
Left: Geoffroy's cat has sharp teeth
and powerful jaws for killing and
devouring prey.
gives birth to a litter of one to
three young.
Like all newborn cats, young
Geoffroy's cats are blind at birth
and totally dependent. The fe-
male cleans, feeds, and protects
them, keeping away adult male
cats that would readily kill and
eat the kittens. When the kittens'
eyes have opened and they can
move about freely, the female
teaches them to hunt. The fami-
ly group breaks up when the
young Geoffroy's cats are a few
months old.
Right: Its attractive coat made
Geoffroy's cat the target of fur
hunters until recently.
Left: There is
a rare type of
Geoffroy's cat
that is melanis-
tic, or all-black
in coloring. The
parents ofa
melanistic cat
are generally
the common
spotted type.
r
DID YOU KNOW?
In addition to Geoffroy's cat,
a bat and a tamarin are named
for Geoffroy St. Hilaire.
Geoffroy's cat can be mated
with the domestic cat to pro-
duce a hybrid known as the
safari cat. But one male Geof-
froy's cat in a zoo killed all the
~ FOOD &: HUNTING
At night Geoffroy's cat pads
quietly through its forest home,
looking for prey such as birds,
reptiles, and small mammals. It
is a good swimmer, and if it lives
near water it often preys on fish.
Geoffroy's cat uses ambush
and surprise tactics to hunt. Its
light movement and agility in
the branches are great advan-
tages. Well camouflaged by its
densely spotted coat, the cat
listens, motionless and unseen,
for noises that reveal its victim's
position. It then lies in wait and
left: With its keen senses and agile
build, Geoffroy's cat is a skillful and
effective hunter.
domestic cats brought into its
cage for cross-breeding.
In 1983, over 80,000 Geof-
froy's cats were killed for their
spotted pelts.
Approximately 25 Geoffroy's
cat pelts are needed to make I
one full-length fur coat. ~
carefully chooses the moment
to pounce. After pinning its vic-
tim to the ground, Geoffroy's
cat kills it with a bite and eats
the entire animal at once, chew-
ing it with the carnassial (slic-
ing) teeth located at the sides
of its mouth.
Like other cats that are active
at night, Geoffroy's cat usually
hunts in the half-light just after
dusk or before dawn. This small
cat must eat one or two meals
every day-unlike the big cats,
which may eat up to a third of
their own body weight at one
time and then not eat again
for a week.
""'=CARD 272
-- --
LONG-NOSED POTOROO
~
'\
... ORDER
"'IIIIIIII Marsupialia
FAMILY
Potoroidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS " , , " ~ ~ )
... GENUS &: SPECIES ~ 1 I
"'IIIIIIII Potorous tridactylus
The long-nosed potoroo is a small, secretive pouched mammal that
lives in Australia and Tasmania. It is one of the rat-kangaroos,
which are named for their rodentlike looks and rapid movements.
KEY FACTS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 13-16 in.
Tail, 6-10 in .
Weight: 2-4 lb.
BREEDING
Mating: Year-round. Births occur
from September to October and
January to February.
Gestation: About 5 weeks.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary; night-active.
Diet: Fungi, roots, grass, and other
plant matter; also insect larvae.
Lifespan: Approximately 5 years
in the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
The closely related broad-faced
potoroo became extinct in the
1870s, but there are thought to
be 2 species in the genus still in
existence. There are 4 other gen-
era of rat-kangaroos.
Range of the long-nosed potoroo.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in damp forests and grasslands on the southern and
eastern coasts of Australia and Tasmania.
CONSERVATION
The long-nosed potoroo has disappeared from much of its
former range due to habitat destruction from bushfires and
forest clearance for agriculture. It has also suffered from pred-
atory species introduced by humans.
FEATURES OF THE LONG-NOSED POTOROO
Fur: Soft and thick
to repel rain. Griz-
zled gray-brown
on the head
and back; off-
white on the belly.
Eyes: Good nighttime
visi on for foraging in
the dark.
Forefeet: Long, sharp claws ideal
for scratching in sandy soil.
Long in relation to the ani-
mars size, enabling the potoroo to
hop very Quickly. Large first toe is
used for grooming fur.
Tail: Able to grasp and hold objects.
Sometimes tipped with white.
About the size of a squirrel, the long-nosed potoroo is an
extremely fast-moving marsupial. It is active mainly at night,
when it forages in the dense undergrowth for food. Once
common in Australia, the long-nosed potoroo disappeared
from much of that region when forest clearance destroyed its
habitat. Today this animal is abundant only in Tasmania.
~ HABITS
The long-nosed potoroo lives
in areas where dense, moist
vegetation provides protection
from its predators and shelter
from rain. This animal is found
in coastal forests as well as on
damp heath land, where there
is thick, low undergrowth and
soft, sandy soil.
A nocturnal animal, the long-
nosed potoroo spends the day
sleeping in its nest. It makes its
nest from dry grass, which it
picks up with its forepaws and
mouth. It passes the grass un-
der its body to its tail, which is
prehensile-capable of grasp-
ing. With its tail curled around
the bundle of grass, the animal
returns to its nest site, drops
the bundle, and arranges the
grass into a pile among the
dense undergrowth.
The long-nosed potoroo is
a solitary creature. The male's
territory may overlap with the
territories of females, but he
rarely encounters other males.
The long-nosed potoroo can
move very quickly and has two
ways of getting around. It pro-
pels itself with its hind legs in
kangaroolike hops, keeping its
body horizontal and close to
the ground. Or it moves in a
shuffling gallop, using its fore-
legs as well as its hind legs.
Right: The long-nosed potoroo's
young leaves its mother's pouch
after about four months.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
At night the long-nosed poto-
roo leaves its nest to dart nim-
bly over the ground in search
of grass and other plant mat-
ter. It also digs shallow holes
to uncover roots, tubers, mush-
rooms, and other fungi. Dur-
ing spring and summer the
long-nosed potoroo searches
for insect larvae among the
debris on the forest floor.
The animal can process large
quantities of vegetable matter
Left: The long-nosed potoroo of-
ten has well-worn routes to favor-
ite feeding spots.
DID YOU KNOW?
The long-nosed potoroo
was one of the first mammals
discovered in Australia. It was
called rat-kangaroo.
The name potoroo is derived
from the Aborigine name for
this animal.
The long-nosed potoroo in-
habits areas that have annual
because its stomach is divided
into several chambers, like the
stomachs of cud-chewing ani-
mals such as sheep and cows.
But the potoroo's teeth are not
as specialized for grinding veg-
etation as the teeth of wallabies
and kangaroos. The reason for
this difference is that the poto-
roo's teeth have evolved to deal
with a diet containing softer
foods like insect larvae and
fungi, as well as vegetation.
Right: The long-nosed potoroo picks
up its food with its forefeet and eats
while squatting on its hind legs.
rainfalls of at least 30 inches.
The long-nosed potoroo can
cover eight feet of ground in
one leap.
The long-nosed potoroo is
preyed upon by foxes and by
domestic cats and dogs. It is
also killed in bushfires and by
poison put out for rabbits.
Left: The long-
nosed potoroo
uses its claws to
scrape around
in the soil for
food. It uses the
long toes on its
hind feet for
scratching and
cleaning its fur.
~ BREEDING
The male long-nosed potoroo
mates with females he meets in
his home range. Mating occurs
at any time of year, but most
births are at the end of either
summer or winter. It is possible
that implantation of the embryo
can be delayed so that birth
takes place only at these times.
Although the female has four
teats, she gives birth to just one
young. But she may suckle an
embryo while feeding an older
offspring. Like the young of all
marsupials (pouched mammals),
the newborn is poorly devel -
oped. It stays in its mother's
pouch, attached to one of her
teats for four months.
"" CARD 273 I
KINKAJOU
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Procyonidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Potos flavus
The kinkajou is also known as the honey bear because of its glossy
golden fur. This agile member of the raccoon family inhabits
forests in Mexico and parts of South America.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 1 ~ - 2 ft.
Tail, up to 2 ft.
Weight: 3-10 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Male, 1-1 ~ years.
Female, just over 2 years.
Mating: Year-round.
Gestation: 4 months.
No. of young: 1-2.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Night-active. Lives alone, in
pairs, or loose groups.
Diet: Mainly fruit and nectar.
Lifespan: About 19 years in the
wild. Up to 2 3 ~ years in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
The only species in its genus, the
kinkajou is similar to the related
olingos of the genus Bassaricyon,
which share its habitat. Olingos
and kinkajous will sometimes for-
age together.
FEATURES OF THE KINKAJOU
Range of the kinkajou.
DISTRIBUTION
The kinkajou lives in tropical forests from southern Mexico
south to Bolivia and Mato Grosso in Brazil.
CONSERVATION
The kinkajou is not listed as threatened despite widespread for-
est clearance for agriculture, logging, and urban development.
Because it is active at night, the animal is rarely seen in its natu-
ral habitat and its exact status is hard to confirm.
Feeding: The kinkajou eats sweet
foods such as fruit and nectar. It also
raids bees' nests, plunging its paw in-
to the hive and li cking off honey that
sticks to its pal m.
Coat: A rich golden brown col or.
Short but thick and very soft. May
hang loosely from the body. Juvenile
has a soft, dark-tipped coat.
Tail : Prehensile (grip-
ping) . May be longer than
the body and very flexi-
ble. Provides extra grip
while climbing and feed-
ing when coiled around
branches. Improves bal-
ance when thrust out
straight behind.
Tongue: Up to 5 inches long.
Used for lapping nectar and lick-
ing the sugary juices of soft fruits.
Also used for grooming fur.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Hands and feet:
Each has 5 dig-
its with long
claws. Used in
gathering food.
PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12073 PACKET 73
The velvet-coated kinkajou is the only member of its family
that has a prehensile t a i ~ o n e that can grip branches.
It uses its tail as a fifth limb to help it move through the
trees of its tropical forest home. At a length of up to two
feet, the kinkajou's tail may be longer than its body.
~ HABITS
The kinkajou is found in Mex-
ico and parts of South America.
It inhabits tropical forests from
sea level to altitudes of 8,000
feet and rarely ventures down
to the ground.
During the day the kinkajou
sleeps in the hollow of a tree,
curled up with its forefeet over
its eyes. Occasionally it stretches
out on a branch to sun itself.
The kinkajou awakens at dusk.
After a ritual catlike stretch, it
sets out on its nightly search for
food. Although it is very agile,
it moves cautiously, releasing
its tail's grip on a branch only
when it has a secure hold on
another point.
The kinkajou lives alone, in
pairs, or in loose groups. It uses
scent to mark its territory and
to make its presence known.
The kinkajou has scent glands
on its throat, chest, and belly.
In contrast, most other mem-
bers of the order Carnivora have
only anal scent glands.
~ BREEDING
The female kinkajou may be sex-
ually receptive at any time. She
indicates her readiness to mate
with a loud, submissive cry.
About four months after mat-
ing, the female gives birth to
one or two young. The new-
born has soft dark-tipped, sil-
very gray fur. At 5 days old its
ears open, and at 17 days old,
its eyes open. When the young
is about two months old its tail
can grip branches. The mother
carries her offspring with her,
holding it by the throat. It be-
gins to eat solid food when it is
two months old, and it is fully
weaned at four months.
Left: To attract males, a female
kinkajou marks trees with scent
from her throat glands.
Right: The kinkajou gets much of
the liquid it needs from moisture in
the rainforest canopy.
DID YOU KNOW?
The kinkajou fits descriptions
of nero-nero, an animal said to
attack people in Bolivia's forests.
But there are no records of kin-
kajou attacks on humans.
The kinkajou is also called
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
Although it occasionally takes
birds' eggs and nestlings, the
kinkajou lives mainly on nectar
and fruit such as figs, guavas,
bananas, mangoes, and avoca-
dos. It also eats legumes, honey,
and soft-shelled nuts.
The kinkajou frequently hangs
upside down when plucking
fruit from branch tips. Its five-
inch-long tongue is ideal for
Left: The kinkajou can gather fruit
with its hands and feet, while keep-
ing a firm grip with its tail.
the potto, but it is unrelated
to the actual potto, which is
a West African primate.
The kinkajou is one of two
prehensile-tailed members of
the order Carnivora.
lapping nectar and honey and
probing soft fruit. Groups of
kinkajous often gather on well-
laden fruit trees. Although they
are usually tolerant of each oth-
er, individuals hiss and scream
when competing for fruit.
The kinkajou's plant-based
diet distinguishes it from most
other members of the order
Carnivora, which eat flesh as
well as plant matter. Even the
related common raccoon eats
both animals and plants.
CARD 274
BANDED MONGOOSE
"
~
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Viverridae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Mungos mungo
The banded mongoose is found in much of sub-Saharan Africa.
This extremely sociable animal lives in strongly supportive,
well-organized troops that keep in constant, close contact.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 12-16 in.
Tail, 8-10 in.
Height to shoulder: 7-8 in.
Weight: Up to 3 ~ lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 9-10
months. Male, 12-14 months.
Mating: Year-round in moist cli-
mates; during the rainy season in
drier areas.
Gestation: About 2 months.
No. of young: Up to 8, but usually
2-3.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Day-active. Lives in tight-
knit group of up to 30.
Diet: Invertebrates, mammals,
birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Lifespan: 8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The only other member of the
genus Mungos is the Gambian
mongoose, M. gambianus.
Range of the banded mongoose.
DISTRIBUTION
The banded mongoose occurs in much of Africa south of the
Sahara. It is absent from extremely moist central and western
regions of the continent.
CONSERVATION
The banded mongoose's group-based defensive behavior and
high rate of reproduction make it successful and numerous
across its range.
FEATURES OF THE BANDED MONGOOSE
Coat: Coarse, with no soft underfur.
Brownish gray with 10 to 12 dark
brown or black bands that run
across the coat from behind the
shoulders to the base of the tail.
Build: Typical of its family, but the banded
mongoose tends to be stockier than some
species, with a shorter snout and tail.
Tail: Coarsel y furred.
Tapers toward the tip.
Feet: Naked soles. Each foot has 5 dig-
its of similar size. Foreclaws are twice
as long as hind claws.
~ . \ MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.8A 0160200841 PACKET 84
The banded mongoose gets its name from the dozen or so
dark bands that straddle its back. This blunt-nosed, fairly
heavyset animal prefers to dwell in grassland and open
woodland. However, it is a resourceful creature and will
make its home in rocky terrain as long as there is some
ground cover to provide shade from the fierce sun.

The banded mongoose lives in
a troop of 5 to 30 members.
The troop occupies a home
range of up to one and a half
square miles-usually near a
water source. Troop members
daub rocks and logs with anal
gland secretions to mark their
territory, which may encroach
on the home range of another
group. Neighboring troops
squabble if they meet while

Flesh eaters such as jackals and
birds of prey are the main ene-
mies of the banded mongoose,
but the troop's social behavior
is a great defense against such
predators. While some troop
members forage, others act as
lookouts, uttering shrill alarm
foraging, but bloodshed is rare.
Troop members share a den,
which they either dig or adapt
from a hollow tree or an aban-
doned termite mound or aard-
vark hole. The den usually has
several entrances and a large
sleeping chamber. A troop may
use the same den for a month
or two, especially at breeding
times, but it normally vacates
the site after a day or two.
calls if an enemy nears. They
also rush to each others' aid
and may even rescue a com-
panion from an eagle's grasp
by lunging at the bird while
spitting and growling. A troop
will also band together to fend
off a jackal, nipping at its heels.
FOOD & FEEDING
The banded mongoose usually
leaves the den early in the day
to forage. It digs through grass
and turns over stones to expose
beetles, scorpions, spiders, and
centipedes. It also feeds on small
mammals and reptiles, amphib-
ians, and birds and their eggs.
To crack an egg, the mongoose
holds it in its forepaws, then
hurls it back between its hind
Left: The banded mongoose hunts
in the open, making sure that other
troop members are nearby.
DID YOU KNOW?
The banded mongoose's ge-
neric name, Mungos, is derived
from a name in the Mahratti
language of India for a mon-
goose species that is found in
that country.
In contrast to the banded
mongoose, many other mon-
legs against a rock or a tree.
Troop members spread out to
feed over a wide area-up to
five and a half miles if food is
scarce. However, they keep in
constant contact with soft, twit-
tering calls. They may some-
times join forces to kill a larger
mammal or a snake. If it is hot
they take a rest at midday and
forage again in the afternoon.
Right: Crickets, termites, and oth-
er insects are staple foods for the
banded mongoose.
goose species are solitary and
active at night.
After catching a frog, the
banded mongoose rolls it in
dusty soil to remove the slime
on its skin before eating it.
This species is also known as
the zebra mongoose.
BREEDING
The banded mongoose breeds
throughout the year in much of
its range, especially in moist cli-
mates. In these areas, females
may have up to four litters in 12
months, mating again a week
or so after giving birth. But in
drier regions they breed only in
times of maximum rainfall.
The banded mongoose usu-
ally breeds only with another
member of the troop. Mating
is synchronized so that the fe-
males bear their young at about
the same time. They give birth
in a roomy, grass-lined chamber
in the den. Each female may
produce up to eight young but
usually bears only two or three.
Left: Teamwork is second nature to
a species that breeds, sleeps, and
hunts in small troops.
The newborns are blind and
helpless, weighing less than an
ounce. They are sparsely furred
but their dark bands are visible,
their legs and feet are black, and
their claws are long. The young
develop quickly; their eyes open
at 10 days old, and they venture
out of the den at three weeks.
During the first few weeks of
their lives, the offspring are left
in the care of one or two young
adult males during the day. Lat-
er, the troop's adults take turns
guarding them, and foragers
bring them beetles when they
start eating solid food. Juveniles
begin following the troop and
foraging at approximately five
weeks old. At three months old,
they have full adult coloration
and are almost fully grown.
BRUSH-TAILED
RAT KANGAROO
"" CARD 275 I
, , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
MarsupiaJia
FAMILY
Potoroidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Bettongia penicillata
The brush-tailed rat kangaroo looks like a large rat but has long
hind legs and feet like a kangaroo. The young spends its first weeks
in the safety of its mother's pouch, like the young of a kangaroo.
'\J KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 12-15 in.
Tail length: 12-14 in.
Weight: 2 ~ - 3 ~ lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 5 ~ - 6 months.
Mating: Year-round.
Gestation: 3 weeks.
litter size: 1 . Offspring spends 2
months in the pouch, and it is
weaned after about 4 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit : Solitary, except when rear-
ing young.
Diet: Fungi, tubers, insects, and
plant resin.
lifespan: 4-6 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 3 other species of Bet-
tongia: B. gaimardi of eastern Aus-
tralia and Tasmania, B. tropica of
Queensland, and the " boodie, "
B. lesueur, of western and south-
ern Australia.
Original range of the brush-tailed rat kangaroo.
DISTRIBUTION
Formerly wi despread from southern Western Australia to New
South Wales. Now present only in a small area in southern
Western Australia.
CONSERVATION
Once widely distributed in southern Aust ralia, t he brush-tailed rat
kangaroo is now rare. In addition to being killed by foxes, it has
suffered from habitat loss and competition for food with rabbits.
FEATURES OF THE BRUSH-TAILED RAT KANGAROO
Tail: Thick and
furred. May be
up to 14 inches
-almost as long
as the body. Pre-
hensile (able to
grip), used to
carry nesting
material. Tuft of
hairs at the tip
gives the species
its name.
I
,
Coat: Brownish
gray, with lighter
underparts.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Eyes: Large, giv-
ing good vision
for activity at
night.
Forelimbs:
Short with
sharp, curved
claws for
digging and
holding food.
Hind limbs: Long and powerful for
hoppi ng. Can propel body forward
. SQCy.
0160200661 PACKET 66
The brush-tailed rat kangaroo is also known as
the brush-tailed bettong or the woylie. This marsupial
was once common throughout southern Australia. But
forest clearance destroyed much of its original habitat,
and the introduction of foxes posed a new threat to
its survival. Today the brush-tailed rat kangaroo is
restricted to a few pockets of woodland or forest.
~ HABITS
The brush-tailed rat kangaroo
lives in southwestern Australia.
This solitary animal usually stays
in a territory that includes a nest
and a feeding area. For most of
the day it remains hidden in its
nest. Although the animal de-
fends the territory near its nest,
several individuals may share
the same feeding grounds with-
out any conflict.
The brush-tailed rat kangaroo
digs a hollow under a bush for
its nest. It then collects dry veg-
etation and tree bark, which it
shreds. With its mouth and front
feet, it gathers together the nest-
ing material and pushes it under
its body. It carries the material to
the nest site in its curled tail.
Rat kangaroos, like true kan-
garoos, move by hopping on
their hind feet. When foraging
for food, they usually hop slowly
with head down, back arched,
and tail extended. But they can
move fast and will drop to all
four limbs when they need to
change direction.
Right: It takes about four months
for the offspring to be weaned from
its mother's milk.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The brush-tailed rat kangaroo
feeds at night. In summer and
fall, it forages for fungi, using
its powerful foreclaws to dig
them from the soil. Since fungi
are low in protein, the animal
also eats roots, tubers, bulbs,
seeds, and insects. In winter it
gets valuable nutrients from
the resin of certain shrubs.
This marsupial has more than
one stomach. With its large first
Left: Limited to small areas in Aus-
tralia, the brush-tailed rat kanga-
roo is considered endangered.
Right: Some rat kangaroos dig up
most of their food, but they also
find insects on the ground.
I
DID YOU KNOW?
The introduction of foxes
to Australia placed the al-
ready declining population
of brush-tailed rat kangaroos
at even greater risk. The fox
is their main predator.
A close relative, the boo-
die, has overcome the prob-
lem of loss of ground cover
by living in burrows, like a
stomach, it is able to eat quick-
ly, lessening the risk of attack
from predators lurking near the
feeding grounds. The food is
broken down by bacteria be-
fore it is passed to the second
stomach and small intestine for
further digestion.
Right: The brush-tailed rat kanga-
roo holds food in the long claws of
its forepaws.
rabbit. A colony on Barrow
Island has more than 60 in-
habitants with 120 tunnel
entrances. But this species is
also declining because it is
preyed on by foxes and cats.
At least one species of rat
kangaroo that lived about
five million years ago was as
large as today's kangaroo.
The female brush-tailed rat kan-
garoo can mate at six months
of age, and she breeds at any
time of the year. Three weeks
after mating, she gives birth to
one offspring and soon mates
again. In rare cases two young
are born, but only one survives.
The underdeveloped young
climbs from its mother's birth
canal to her pouch, where it
suckles milk for two months. Af-
ter this period there is usually
another embryo in the pouch,
so the first offspring joins the
female in her nest. It is displaced
from the nest when the next in-
fant leaves the pouch. The fe-
male continues to produce one
offspring almost every three
months for the rest of her life.
Left: The brush-tailed rat kangaroo
has powerful rear limbs and hops
like a true kangaroo.
NAKED MOLE-RAT
,,--------------
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
----
... ORDER ... FAMILY
~ Rodentia ~ 8athyergidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Heterocephalu5 glaber
The naked mole-rat is confined to a small area of Africa. A relative of
the guinea pig, this mammal has wrinkled pinkish skin and protruding
teeth. It lives in a large colony that has a cooperative social structure.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 3-4 in.
Weight: Average, 1 oz .
BREEDING
Gestation: About 10 weeks.
Litter size: 3-15.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Lives in large underground
colonies, never emerging above
the ground.
Diet: Tubers and roots.
Lifespan: Maximum of 16 years
in captivity.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 5 genera and a total of 8
species in the family 8athyergidae
-the African mole-rats. All the spe-
cies live south of the Sahara. One
other mole-rat family, Spalacidae,
has just 1 species and is native to
eastern Europe, southern Asia, and
the eastern Mediterranean region.
Range of the naked mole-rat.
DISTRIBUTION
The naked mole-rat is confined to hot, dry areas of the Horn of
Africa. The animal is found in southeastern Ethiopia, eastern
Kenya, and Somalia.
CONSERVATION
The naked mole-rat is quite abundant because its underground
lifestyle protects it from external influences. Its main enemies
are snakes.
FEATURES OF THE NAKED MOLE-RAT
Ears: Simple
holes in the
Eyes: Tiny and
ineffectual. The
naked mole-rat
is virtually blind.
Teeth: Two pai rs of very long, protruding
incisor teeth. Used for gnawing tubers,
digging tunnels, and attacking snakes.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Skin: Bare except for a
few scattered hairs.
Claws: Small and
sharp. Provi de good
grip while animal
travels along its
dusty tunnels.
US P 6001 12077 PACKET 77
The naked mole-rat is a burrowing rodent that is virtually
blind and never sets foot above the ground. It seems to
be the only mammal with a social organization that is
similar to the societies of bees, ants, and termites. Like
those insects, the naked mole-rat lives in a colony that
is dominated by the only breeding female, or queen.
~ HABITS
The naked mole-rat lives in an
underground colony of 70 to
80 individuals. The communi-
ty's extensive system of burrows
can spread over an area of a lit-
tle over a square mile.
The shallowest burrows are
around eight inches below the
ground and often wide enough
for only one animal at a time.
Roadway burrows, about 20
inches down, are large enough
for two animals. They may pass
side by side, or the larger animal
may crawl over the smaller one.
At this level there are one or
more nest chambers. Latrine '
chambers may also be at this
level or slightly deeper. A num-
ber of deeper dead-end tunnels
may be used as resting places or
to hold floodwater during rainy
periods. Sometimes the naked
mole-rat makes volcano-shaped
molehills to get rid of surplus
soil and provide ventilation.
Like the queen in a beehive,
only one female naked mole-rat
breeds. This dominant female
has one to three mates, which
are usually larger than the aver-
age male. The other animals do
not mate. They spend their time
finding food and nesting mate-
rial and clearing tunnels. They
also defend the colony against
predators, such as snakes, which
may enter the tunnels.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The naked mole-rat eats tubers
and roots exclusively. It feeds
on wild species as well as sweet
potatoes, which humans grow
for food. The animal gets all of
its moisture from its food and
does not need to drink.
The naked mole-rat forages
in its shallow burrows, which
are at the level where tubers
grow. It appears to forage ran-
domly, depending on luck rath-
er than its sense of smell to find
food. When it discovers a large
Left: The naked mole-rat's tiny eyes
are almost useless. Its ears are sim-
ple holes in the skin.
DID YOU KNOW?
The naked mole-rat is also
called the sand puppy.
If a naked mole-rat wants to
turn around in a narrow tun-
nel, it must back into a side
tunnel to change direction.
The naked mole-rat makes
approximately 1 7 different
patch of tubers, it digs many
branch burrows to harvest the
crop. The mole-rat frequently
blocks off the shallow foraging
burrows once the tubers have
been found and eaten, but it
may open them later.
Sometimes the naked mole-
rat takes a few bites out of a
tuber and then blocks up the
holes with soil. This may help
to ensure future food supplies,
since the half-eaten tubers of-
ten continue to grow.
Right: The naked mole-rat uses its
four protruding teeth to clear tough
roots from tunnels.
sounds. These sounds include
very loud chirps, trills, whis-
tles, and sneezes.
Naked mole-rats eat their
own and each other's drop-
pings. This may provide extra
protein and essential nutri-
ents lacking in the diet.
The queen naked mole-rat mates
almost every three months, with-
in roughly one week of produc-
ing her last litter. She makes the
first approach toward any breed-
ing male while uttering a trilling
sound. She mates with which-
ever one she happens to meet.
Gestation takes approximately
10 weeks, and there are usually
3 to 15 pups (young) in a litter.
The queen, her mates, and, to a
lesser extent, other members of
the colony share in the care of
the pups. The young of one lit-
ter may help look after the next.
Left: The queen of the colony may
behave aggressively toward an
approaching male.
Left: The naked
mole-rat uses
some of the
burrow's deep-
erchambers
as latrines.
Co/onymem-
bers mayrol/
in a latrine
to mark them-
selves with
its scent.
The newborn pup is a bright
pink color and weighs even less
than a piece of paper. The pup
can walk in a few hours and can
eat solid food when it is three or
four weeks old. The mole-rat
pups engage in play-fighting
until they are two years old.
When the queen grows too
old to breed, other females fight
to succeed her. One female usu-
ally kills her rivals and takes over.
It is not clear how the queen sup-
presses sexual activity in colony
members. It may be througr a
hormone that she emits with
her urine. Naked mole-rats be-
come sexually active after a few
days away from the queen.
EUROPEAN SUSLIK
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
"''--------
--------
". ORDER ". FAMILY
"1IIIIIIII Rodentia "1IIIIIIII Sciuridae
GENUS & SPECIES
Spermophi/us eitel/us
The European suslik is a squirrel that lives in elaborate
underground burrows. In winter these burrows are filled with
stores of food that the animal has gathered for its hibernation.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Body, 8-9 in. Tail, 2-3 in.
Weight: 8-1 2 oz.
BREEDING
Mating season: April to June.
Gestation: About 4 weeks.
litter size: 3-7.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable within communal
underground burrows, but solitary
within its own lair. Active by day.
Hibernates during winter.
Diet: Grass, seeds, grains, insects.
lifespan: 5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The European suslik is one of 36
ground squirrels, 9 of which are
found in Eurasia, 26 in western
North America and Mexico, and 1
in both Asia and North America.
Range of the European suslik.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in central and eastern Europe. Also occurs as far east as
Syria and Israel, almost to the Caspian Sea.
CONSERVATION
The population has decreased across all of the European suslik's
range. Increased use of modern farming methods has deprived
the animal of important habitats.
FEATURES OF THE EUROPEAN SUSLIK
Coat: Upper-
parts are grayish
yellow, with faint
mottled mark-
ings. Belly is yel-
lowish, and
throat is white.
Fur is soft but
thin and looks
somewhat spiky.
Eyes: Large for
good all-around
vision.
Forepaws: Strong
and agile. Ideal for
digging and holding
food.
Burrow: Entrance is sur-
rounded by a small
mound of earth.
I ~
e-
ll.
:,.:
c
0:
c
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C
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The European suslik digs an extensive maze of tunnels,
building an underground home that provides protection
from most predators. The animal stiJI falls prey to human
hunters, however. The European suslik has survived
because of its ability to adapt to new habitats.
~ H A B I T S
The European suslik is found in
a variety of treeless habitats, in-
cluding open steppes, pastures,
and farmland. Its range extends
from parts of central and east-
ern Europe that are just above
sea level to more mountainous
regions. In certain parts of its
range, the suslik is migratory.
To find new fields, it may travel
up to 60 miles at a time.
For protection from predators,
the suslik feeds and travels in
colonies of up to 100 animals.
But within a colony's commu-
nal underground home, each
individual lives in its own bur-
row. An adult has a permanent
burrow and several small tem-
porary holes that it uses on for-
aging trips.
During the summer months
the animals rear their young
and gather food for hiberna-
tion. The older adults start their
winter sleep as early as July or
August, but the younger ones
do not begin hibernating until
September. In the first months
of hibernation, the suslik's heart
rate and breathing slow down
and the animal feeds on its food
stores. By midwinter, the suslik
hibernates fully. It emerges from
its burrow only in early spring.
Right: The European suslik builds
up fat reserves that let it survive its
winter hibernation.
~ BREEDING
The breeding season begins af-
ter the European suslik emerges
from hibernation in early spring.
Pairs mate between April and
June. The pregnant female then
retires to a breeding chamber
that she has lined with grass
before mating. The chamber
has two entrances. One slopes
gently to the surface, and the
other is vertical.
After a gestation period of
four weeks, the female gives
birth to three to seven young.
The newborns are hairless and
blind. Nourished by their moth-
Left: Always alert, the European
suslik looks for birds of prey before
foraging for food.
er's milk, they open their eyes
within three to four weeks and
become quite active. The moth-
er is very attentive to her young,
and she is alert to the presence
of predators. Choosing a spot
on raised ground, she sits and
watches over her offspring. At
the least sign of danger, she ut-
ters a shrill whistle, and the en-
tire family disappears down the
nearest tunnel.
The mother suckles her off-
spring for six weeks. The young
then leave the nest and begin to
build their own burrows.
Right: The European suslik is most
active during the morning and
early evening.
Left: In areas
where the sum-
mer is very dry
and little food
is available,
the European
suslik may sleep
through the bar-
ren period.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Russia the fur of the Euro-
pean suslik is used to line coats.
Each year thousands of susliks
are trapped for this purpose.
The European suslik blocks
the entrances to its tunnels
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Seeds, grasses, grains, nuts,
and an occasional insect are
the staple diet of the European
suslik. It is also fond of fungi
that grow underground and
digs them up with its forepaws.
The animal feeds in the early
morning and late afternoon,
never venturing far from the
safety of its burrow. As it for-
ages, it often pauses to nibble
with clumps of earth and grass
so that snow cannot get inside
while the animal hibernates.
The European suslik carries
fleas in its fur that transmit the
deadly bubonic plague.
on a seed, holding the morsel
in its forepaws as it chews.
When collecting food for the
winter, the suslik holds it in its
cheek pouches before deposit-
ing it in its burrow. With the
help of its plentiful food stores,
the animal builds up a fat re-
serve to sustain it through its
winter hibernation.
In areas where large num-
bers of susliks have settled on
farmland, the feeding animals
have had a devastating effect
on crops.
Left: The European suslik uses its
agile forepaws to scoop up food
such as fungi.
"" CARD 278 I
CHINCHILLA
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ORDER ~
~ Rodentia ~
FAMILY
Chinchillidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Chinchilla laniger
The chinchilla has one of the most prized furs of any animal. For
this reason, it has been hunted almost to extinction in its natural
habitat. But it is raised for its fur around the world.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 14-15 in.
Tail, 3-6 in.
Weight: Almost 2 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 7 months.
Mating: Year-round.
Gestation: 3 ~ months.
No. of young: 1-6. Up to 3 litters
a year, but usually only 2.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable. Lives in small
groups within colonies.
Diet: Grass and herbs.
lifespan: 20 years in captivity;
10 years in the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
The chinchilla's closest relative is
the viscacha, Lagostomus maximus,
which also lives in the Andes.
Range of the chinchilla.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in the Andes in Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina,
and Chile.
CONSERVATION
The chinchilla has been severely overhunted and is endan-
gered. But its numbers have increased since 1970, as a result
of protective legislation.
FEATURES OF THE CHINCHILLA
Coat: Thick, soft, dense fur protects
the animal against the cold. At least
60 strands of hair grow from each
follicle. The upper body is pearly blue
or silvery gray with faint smoky mark-
ings. The underparts are paler.
Tail: Long and bushy. The hairs are
coarser than the rest of the coat and
are marked with black or brown.
MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET ...
Ears: Rounded,
Legs: The hind limbs are long
and muscular. Soft pads at the
ends of the toes protect the feet
on rocky surfaces.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Head: The large
head has a broad
snout and large
black eyes. The
long, bristly
whiskers may be
white or black.
0160200651 PACKET 65
The chinchilla is a tiny mammal that lives high
in the Andes. It has a very dense coat that keeps it
warm in its cold mountain habitat. At first sight the
chinchilla appears to be just a bundle of fur. Although
rare today, it was once very numerous in the wild.
Travelers in the 16th century reported seeing as
many as a thousand chinchillas in a single day.

The chinchilla is found at eleva-
tions of more than 16,000 feet
in the Andes. On this rocky, arid,
and often snowy terrain, colo-
nies of chinchillas live in holes,
crevices, or burrows between
rocks. Family groups of two to
five members often live togeth-
er in a burrow. When chinchillas
were more numerous, over 100
animals could be found in a sin-
gle colony.
The chinchilla is active mainly
at night and can easily scramble
over rocks in the dark. At any
sign of danger, it scampers back
to its burrow. It emerges in a
few minutes, with its nose quiv-
ering, to test the surroundings.
The chinchilla likes to bask in
the morning and late afternoon
sun. It sleeps for most of the day
in its rocky crevice or burrow.
Right: The chinchilla's large ears
pick up the slightest sounds, warn-
ing it of danger.
DID YOU KNOW?
The chinchilla's fur is at least
one inch deep. It is so dense
and thick that fleas cannot
penetrate it.
The chinchilla's fur is dense
because 60 to 80 hairs grow
from each follicle. It has more
hairs per square inch than any
other mammal. The strands
are so fine that they are virtu-

The chinchilla feeds only on the
sparse vegetation that grows in
its environment-mainly coarse
grass and herbs. After plucking
the vegetation with its forefeet,
it sits on its haunches and holds
the food up to its mouth. The
animal's teeth grow constantly
to make up for the wear caused
by gnawing tough food.
In the high, arid mountains
there are few sources of water.
But the chinchilla gets all the
moisture it needs from the veg-
etation it eats.
Left: Rarely seen in the wild, the
chinchilla is found only in remote
parts of the Andes.
Right: The chinchilla grasps food
in its paws and nibbles with its
sharp front teeth.
ally invisible to the naked eye.
It requires more than 150
chinchilla pelts to make a full-
length coat.
When the Spaniards colo-
nized much of South America,
they named the chinchilla for
the native Chinca Indians, who
valued the animal for its fur
and flesh.

The chinchilla can mate at sev-
en months old, and it pairs for
life. The female is aggressive to-
ward the male in the breeding
season, which is unusual among
mammals. A female can have
up to three litters a year, but in
the wild she usually has two.
One to six young are born in
a secluded burrovy. They are
well developed, although they
weigh just over an ounce and
measure only two inches. Fully
furred, the newborns have open
eyes and a full set of 20 teeth.
Within a few hours they can run
around, and they eat solid food
a day or two later. Both parents
watch over them until they are
fully weaned at about six weeks.
CHINCHILLA &: MAN
The chinchilla's pearly blue or
silvery gray fur has been prized
since the 15th century, and the
animal has been hunted in vast
numbers. By the end of the 19th
century, about 500,000 skins
were being exported annually
from Chile alone.
Legislation was introduced in
the 1920s to ban the export of
furs and make hunting illegal.
But by then the chinchilla pop-
ulation had been reduced to a
few areas high in the mountains.
At about the same time, it
was discovered that chinchillas
could be raised easily on farms.
The fact that its fur could be
obtained without hunting prob-
ably saved the chinchilla from
total extinction in the wild. To-
day it is found in large numbers
on ranches in North America,
South America, and Europe,
and in South Africa and Zim-
babwe in Africa.
PYGMY MARMOSET
,,-----------------
~
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Callitrichidae
CARD 279
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Cebuella pygmaea
The pygmy marmoset is the smallest American primate, but its
agility compensates for its small size. This animal moves nimbly
through the forest ~ tallest branches in search of tree sap.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: 4 ~ - 6 in. Tail, 6 ~ - 9 in.
Weight: 4-7 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Breeding season: Varies.
Gestation: About 5 months.
No. of young: 2 per litter. Female
may have 2 litters a year.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Day-active; sociable. Lives
in an extended family group,
which defends a small territory.
Diet: Tree sap, insects, flowers,
and fruit.
Lifespan: 5-8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The family Callitrichidae has up to
21 species, including the common
marmoset, Callithrix jacchus; silvery
marmoset, C. argentata; Santarem
marmoset, C. humeralifer; and 11
species of tamarin.
Range of the pygmy marmoset.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in the upper reaches of the Amazon and in parts of
Ecuador, Colombia, northern Peru, and western Brazil.
CONSERVATION
The pygmy marmoset was once thought to carry yellow fever
and malaria and was persecuted as a result. It was exported to
zoos and for research until 1973. Today it is most threatened
by the destruction of its forest habitat.
r EATURES OF THE PYGMY MARMOSET
Head: Long hairs around the crown and
cheeks give the appearance of a mane. No
ear tufts on this species.
Teeth: Chisel-like and adapted
for scraping sap.
Limbs: Hind limbs are longer than forelimbs
and well adapted for j umping. Sharp claws
on all but the big toes help grip tree bark.
Tail: Ringed.
Very long but
not used for
gripping
when climb-
ing trees.
-0 MCMXCII IMP BV/ IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Coat: Fine, silky,
brown, and marbled
or tawny-striped.
Less colorful than
many other mar-
moset species.
---l
0160200791 PACKET 79
The pygmy marmoset is a tiny squirrel-like monkey
that lives high in the tree canopy of South America's
rainforests. This sociable creature lives in an extended
family group in which only a single female breeds at
a time. The other females in the group suppress their
reproductive instincts. Instead of mating, they
help the sole mother raise her offspring.
~ HABITS
The pygmy marmoset is found
in rainforests in South America.
It usually frequents forest areas
that are flooded or that border
riverbanks, where it can find
sap-producing trees. This mar-
moset makes its home in the
tangled branches and dense
foliage of the high canopy, be-
low the treetops. This habitat
offers protection from larger
enemies and provides an abun-
dant source of food.
The pygmy marmoset is ac-
tive during the day, sleeping in
tree holes at night. This agile
monkey travels rapidly through
the branches with short, jerky
movements. It may even scurry
backward along a branch to es-
cape a predator. The animal is
easily alarmed and will shoot
up a tree like a squirrel, hiding
from danger behind a branch.
The sociable pygmy marmoset
lives in family groups of 4 to 15
individuals. The group defends
its territory with noisy calls and
chases. If two families meet, the
defenders turn and expose their
rumps to the aggressors. The
flattened fur around the rump
fans out in an obvious gesture
of defiance.
~ BREEDING
The female pygmy marmoset
can produce a litter at any time
of year, but only one female
within a group breeds in any
one season. The other group
members help rear her young.
This form of cooperative breed-
ing is unique among primates.
About five months after mat-
ing, the breeding female usually
gives birth to two young. Each
newborn is very large, weighing
as much as 25 percent of the
adult's body weight. But despite
left: Each species of marmoset lives
in a similar habitat, but no two spe-
cies share the same forest range.
its size, the young marmoset is
totally dependent on its moth-
er and the rest of the group.
The newborn pygmy marmo-
set feeds on its mother's milk for
two weeks and is weaned soon
afterward. The male parent fre-
quently carries his offspring, and
other group members help to
feed and look after it. By the age
of three months, the youngster
is quite independent, capable of
traveling around and obtaining
food for itself.
Right: The pygmy marmoset has
strong, sharp claws that help it grip
tree bark.
left: The
pygmy mar-
moset and the
African gorilla
are nearly at
opposite ends
of the order of
Primates. The
gorilla is at
least a thou-
sand times
heavier than
its tiny relative.
~
I D YOU KNOW?
Twin births are more the rule
than the exception with pyg-
my marmosets, accounting
for 90 percent of births.
Vision and hearing are the
pygmy marmoset's two sharp-
est senses.
The pygmy marmoset uses
scent in order to mark its fam-
ily's territory.
The pygmy marmoset's ears
are very small and well hidden
in its furry head. In contrast,
some other marmosets pos-
sess large, tufted ears that are
clearly visible.
The pygmy marmoset has a
variety 0,1 calls. Some are so I
high-pitched that a human
cannot hear them.
-------
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The pygmy marmoset spends
much of its time feeding. Its fa-
vorite food is tree sap. To get at
the sweet, sticky sap, the animal
gouges out chunks of bark with
its chisel-like teeth, while cling-
ing to the tree with its strong
and sharp claws. The bark is the
tree's outer protection, or skin.
When it is broken, the tree pro-
duces a chemical solution-the
sap-that binds the wound and
prevents infection.
The pygmy marmoset also
left: The pygmy marmoset may
supplement its diet of sap and
insects with fruit and flowers.
feeds on insects, which it gath-
ers by ingenious means. Rows
of army ants march through the
forest regularly in search of food,
carrying away what they find
and disturbing hordes of other
insects. The pygmy marmoset
simply waits for a column of ants
to approach. Then it picks up
other insects as they are flushed
from their homes trying to flee
from the ants' path.
In addition to sap and insects,
the pygmy marmoset eats flow-
ers and fruit. It often grips the
ends of a branch when feeding
on fruit.
" CARD 280 I
TASMANIAN DEVIL
, , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER FAMILY
Marsupialia Oasyuridae
The Tasmanian devil gets its name from its ratlike appearance and its
reputation for being ferocious. However, this creature is fairly timid
and prefers to scavenge carrion rather than kill live prey.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Body, 1 ~ - 2 ~ ft. Tail,
9-12 in.
Weight: 1 3-26 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Mating season: March to April.
Gestation: 3-4 weeks.
Litter size: 1-4.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Nocturnal; solitary but not
territorial.
Call: Growls, spits, hisses. Loud
yells used in aggression or when
frightened.
Diet: Carrion, vegetation, and live
prey such as small mammals, fish,
birds, reptiles, and insects.
Lifespan: 7-8 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The family Oasyuridae also includes
the native "cats" and a variety of
marsupial "mice" in Australia and
New Guinea.
Range of the Tasmanian devil.
DISTRIBUTION
The Tasmanian devil was once widespread in Australia. It is
now found only on the island of Tasmania.
CONSERVATION
The Tasmanian devil has few natural enemies and is in no im-
mediate danger. Problems may arise, however, from increased
habitat destruction and from chemicals used for pest control,
which poison the Tasmanian devil and the animals it feeds on.
I FEATURES OF THE TASMANIAN DEVil
Coat: Thick and black with a distinc-
tive white patch on the throat and
other patches on the rump and
sides. The pink ears have no fur.
Mouth: Powerful jaws and sharp teeth
for tearing flesh. The animal snarls
loudly and gnashes its teeth in an in-
timidating defense display.
MCMXCIV IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A. US P 6001 12 067 PACKET 67
The Tasmanian devil is found in forests and scrubland
only on the island of Tasmania. It evolved more slowly
than most other mammals, which may be one reason
for its rather unusual appearance. With its thick, dark
coat, short limbs, and stumpy tait this stocky marsupial
resembles a small bear. But like other marsupials, the
female has a pouch in which she carries her young.
~ HABITAT
The Tasmanian devil inhabited
much of Australia until about
600 years ago. Today it lives
only on the island of Tasma-
nia, where it has few natural
enemies. The animal is com-
mon throughout the island,
except on the southernmost
tip, and is often seen looking
for food in suburban areas.
The Tasmanian devil is active
mainly at night. It prefers to
spend the day hiding in places
that offer plenty of cover. These
places include woodland and
forests where the trees have
tough leaves, such as eucalyp-
tus. But the animal can also
be found living on rocky out-
crops, dense scrubland, and
coastal heath.
The Tasmanian devil sleeps
in a variety of nests, which it
makes in caves, hollow logs,
or deserted burrows. Some-
times it digs a hole for itself in
a sandy bank.
Right: Young Tasmanian devils
squeal constantly while their moth-
er is away looking for food.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The Tasmanian devil eats any-
thing-from live prey to carri-
on (dead animal flesh). Up to a
dozen individuals may quarrel
over a carcass, but they rarely
attack one another.
This mammal climbs poorly
and walks with awkward, lop-
ing movements. It runs even
more clumsily, at a speed of
approximately eight miles per
hour. The Tasmanian devil pre-
fers to scavenge rather than
hunt live prey. But it has plen-
ty of stamina and can track
prey over long distances. Its
Left: Although it moves awkwardly,
the Tasmanian devil can track prey
over long distances.
victims include lambs, wom-
bats, wallabies, ground birds,
reptiles, fish, and amphibians.
It even attacks and feeds on
members of its own species.
In addition to eating animal
flesh, the Tasmanian devil con-
sumes any fur, feathers, and
large bones. It crunches the
bones in its powerful jaws us-
ing its large teeth.
This mammal also feeds on
insects and vegetation. When
food is plentiful, it grows sleek
and rounded, storing quanti-
ties of fat beneath its coat.
Right: The Tasmanian devil takes
advantage of carrion left behind in
animal traps.
Left: The
Tasmanian
devil sleeps by
day in the safe-
ty of its nest
and moves out
to forage just
before dusk. It
has few ene-
mies besides
man, who is
encroaching
on its habitat.
f
DID YOU KNOW?
The Tasmanian devil lived on
mainland Australia until about
600 years ago. Its disappear-
ance is thought to be linked to
the arrival of the dingo.
The sperm cell of the Tas-
I
man ian devil is four times
larger than a man's and is al-
most visible to the naked eye.
~ BREEDING
The Tasmanian devil breeds in
March or April. The sexes pair
up for two weeks before mat-
ing, and the female stays in the
male's den during that period.
After a gestation of three to
four weeks, the female gives
birth to up to four young. The
fairly undeveloped offspring
suckle from their mother in her
rear-facing pouch. They remain
there for eight or nine months,
clinging tightly to her four teats
to avoid falling out when she is
on the move. During that time
A greedy scavenger, the Tas-
manian devil has been known
to eat plastic, cotton socks,
and rubber boots and gloves.
After escaping from a zoo in
Australia, one Tasmanian devil
killed 54 chickens, 6 geese, a
cat, and an albatross in a peri-
od of two days.
their eyes open, and their fur
gradually appears.
When they finally emerge
from the pouch, the young go
through the most vulnerable
phase of their lives. Left alone
in a leafy nest while their moth-
er hunts for food, they are easy
prey for marsh harriers and owls
as well as older Tasmanian dev-
ils. In an attempt to protect her
offspring, the female may carry
them with her on her back, but
the young often fall off during
the ride.