Chapter VI: Section I: The Mammals (4)

The Western Prairie-“Dog,” or Prairie Marmot, (_Cynomys ludovicianus_).—Occupying a conspicuous hill-top near the Small-Deer House, and overlooking the Wild-Fowl Pond, is a circular enclosure, 80 feet in diameter, surrounded by an iron fence with an overhang, with walls going down to bedrock. This contains about fifty fat and jolly little Prairie Marmots, one-half of which are the gift of a Montana ranchman, Mr. Howard Eaton. The soil of the enclosure has never been disturbed, and there is no danger that the little creatures ever will be smothered in their burrows, as frequently happens in earth that has once been dug up and filled in again.

Owing to its optimistic and even joyous disposition, the Prairie-“Dog” has many friends, and “happy as a Prairie-'Dog’” would be a far better comparison than “happy as a king.” His cousin, the woodchuck, has the air of being perpetually “in the dumps,” but the Prairie-“Dog”—never. His so-called bark is really a laugh, and his absurd little tail was given to him solely as a means of visible expression of good nature. But he has his enemies and detractors. The coyote loves his plump and toothsome body; the “granger” hates him for the multitude of his holes, and puts spoonfuls of poisoned wheat into his burrow.

THE BEAR DENS, No. 37.

The bears of the world form a very interesting group; and when its representatives are properly installed—in large, open yards, with abundant sunlight, fresh air and room for exercise—they develop finely, live happily, and furnish endless entertainment. Under proper conditions, bears are cheerful animals, full of the playful spirit that robs captivity of its chief terror. To confine large bears singly, in small cages, or in wet-floored, high-walled dungeons, or in the unspeakable “pits” of mediaeval type, is a sin against Nature. It is to be noted, however, that small and timid bears, like _Ursus japonicus_, are better off in small cages than in the very large ones; and it is for this reason that eight small dens have been provided, opposite the original series.

The Zoological Society has put forth considerable effort in constructing a series of nine large Bear Dens which provide ideal conditions for their inmates. Bears do not need _buildings_! Their habits call for large, open yards, properly situated, with snug and dry sleeping-dens attached, to which they can retire whenever they wish. To them, masonry walls are worse than useless, for they cut off sunlight and promote dampness; but rocks and trees upon which to climb are very beneficial. In warm weather, all bears are fond of bathing, and a bathing pool in each cage is very necessary.

_It is cruelty to animals_ for visitors to throw peanuts, or food of any kind, into our bear dens; and it is _strictly forbidden_. All persons who do not wish to be reprimanded in public, or arrested, are advised to refrain from it. Teasing with food always irritates bears, sets them to fighting, spoils their dispositions and _renders them dangerous to the keepers who have to go in with them_! _All visitors who are law-abiding, and friendly to the Zoological Society, are requested to assist the keepers and policemen in preventing lawless persons from throwing food into the bear dens._ A stern reprimand often prevents serious trouble.

The bears of North America form four well-defined groups, as follows:

The Polar Bear.
The Grizzly Bear.
The Alaskan Brown Bears.
The Black Bears, and their allies.

Up to this date (April 1, 1913), 24 species and subspecies have been described, and it is reasonably certain that much more work remains to be done on the members of this group of animals before the status of each valid and invalid species will be rendered thoroughly clear.

The most noteworthy species are as follows:

THE MOST IMPORTANT SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BEARS.

_Ursus maritimus_, (Desm.), Polar Bear. Arctic
regions generally.
The Brown Bears. _Ursus middendorffi_, (Merriam), Kadiak Bear.
Kadiak Is., Alaska.
_Ursus dalli_, (Merr.), Yakutat Bear. Yakutat Bay,
Alaska.
_Ursus eulophus_, (Merr.), Admiralty Bear.
Admiralty Is., Alaska.
_Ursus gyas_, (Merr.), Peninsula Bear. Portage
Bay, Alaska Peninsula.
The Grizzly Bears. _Ursus Horribilis_, (Ord.), Grizzly Bear:
Silver-Tip. Wyoming and Utah to Alaska.
_Ursas horribilis horriaeus_, (Baird), Mexican
Grizzly. Southwestern New Mexico.
_Ursus richardsoni_, (Swainson), Barren-Ground
Grizzly. Great Slave Lake region, and
Barren-Grounds.
The Black Bears. _Ursus americanus_, (Pallas), Black Bear. Eastern
North America.
_Ursus luteolus_, (Griffith), Louisiana Bear.
Louisiana and Texas.
_Ursus floridanus_, (Merr.), Everglade Bear.
Florida.
_Ursus emmonsi_, (Dall), Glacier Bear. St. Elias
Alps, Yakutat Bay.
_Ursus kermodei_, (Hornaday), Inland White Bear.
Northwestern British Columbia.

The Polar Bear, (_Ursus maritimus_).—In nearly every collection of living bears the individuals of this species are the most showy and attractive. Their white coats quickly catch the eye of the visitor, and whether young or old, they are generally the most active and playful of all captive bears. In cold weather, when other bears lie in the sun, or, if permitted, curl up in the straw of their sleeping dens, the Polar Bear will disport himself in the freezing cold water of his swimming pool, and joyously play with a cake of ice until the sight of it makes one shiver.

The Polar Bear Den is situated at the north end of Rocking-Stone Hill, about two hundred feet from the north end of the main series of Bear Dens. It is reached by descending the steps leading toward the Beaver Pond, and turning to the right. From the Rocking-Stone Restaurant, the Polar Bears are quickly reached by descending the hill toward the north.

Although the Polar Bear inhabits practically the whole of the Arctic Ocean and its numerous islands, it is by no means the most northerly warm-blooded mammal. Nansen found fox tracks at 85° N., but the most northerly bear observed was on the 84th parallel. The favorite home of this animal is the edge of the great polar ice cap, where Neptune and the “Frost King” wage continuous warfare. He seldom ventures more than a day’s journey inland, on any shore. In winter, as the edge of the ice-pack moves southward, and in summer when it retreats northward, he follows it in order to keep in touch with the ringed seals and walrus that also go with it.

The power of the Polar Bear to resist ice-cold water—nay, even to enjoy it—may fairly be regarded as one of the wonders of Nature. On the coast of Alaska this strange creature will plunge into the Arctic Ocean and swim miles from shore, through tossing fields of broken ice, and wherever the mother leads, her cubs follow.

In the Autumn of 1910, the sealing steamer “_Boethic_” arrived at New York bringing two adult Polar Bears that were captured in the summer of that year by Mr. Paul J. Rainey. Both animals were presented to the Zoological Society, and the largest one called “Silver King” occupies the cage that was specially built for the polar bears, and the female is exhibited in very comfortable quarters, built for her near that installation. Owing to their savage temper neither of these bears ever can be kept with other bears, nor can any keeper ever enter the cage of either. “Silver King” weighs 880 pounds and is probably the largest Polar Bear ever captured alive and unhurt. While the female is not as large as “Silver King,” she is in every way as perfect a specimen.

The Yakutat Bear, (_Ursus dalli_).—In 1899, we received from Hudson Lake, Copper River District, Alaska, two young Alaskan Brown Bears which for some time we believed would prove to represent the species found on Kadiak Island. In this belief they were for a time labeled as Kadiak Bears, (_U. middendorffi_), and so entered provisionally in previous editions of the Guide Book. The maturity of the animals has proven that this supposition was erroneous. The extremely short and thick muzzle of the adult male proves conclusively that they are not identical with the long-skulled species of Kadiak. This interesting pair, absolutely identical in color with _middendorffi_, are now identified, pending further revisions of our _Urisdae_, as _Ursus dalli_.

This species, and the two following, well represent the group of big Alaskan Brown Bears, which are quite distinct from the grizzlies and blacks. They are characterized by their great size, high shoulders, massive heads, shaggy brown pelage, and large claws. They live chiefly upon salmon, which they catch from the small streams, but they also devour great quantities of _grass_.

The Peninsula Bear, (_Ursus gyas_), of Moeller Bay, well down the Alaskan Peninsula, may at once be recognized by its light brownish-yellow color, and its great size for a bear born in 1904. Its claws are of enormous thickness.

This animal is now beyond doubt one of the two largest bears in captivity, his only rival being in the Zoological Park at Washington.

The Admiralty Bear, (_Ursus eulophus_), represents a large species originally discovered on Admiralty Island, southern Alaska. Its dark brown color is very much like that of the Yakutat and Kadiak bears.

The Grizzly Bear, or “Silver-Tip Grizzly,” (_Ursus horribilis_).—The rapid disappearance of this species from the United States renders all living examples of it specially interesting.

Of all bears, the Silver-Tip Grizzly is the most savage and dangerous. He is easily angered, and when wounded or harried not only becomes furiously vindictive, but he also possesses a degree of courage which renders him a dangerous antagonist. As a general thing, a Grizzly Bear, like a lion or tiger, will run as soon as he discovers the presence of his only enemy—man; but if he is wounded or cornered—or _thinks_ he is cornered—he assumes the aggressive, without an instant’s delay. Unfortunately, the largest Silver-Tip Grizzlies ever killed have been too far from scales to make it possible to weigh them.

The most interesting specimen of the Rocky Mountain Silver-Tip now on exhibition is a dark-colored and very handsome specimen, named “Engineer,” obtained in Meeker, Colorado, by Professor Henry F. Osborn, and presented to the Society by the Engineers’ Club of New York City. The color of this individual is darker than the most common type of the Silver-Tip, which is sometimes almost as gray as a badger.

A very beautiful male Silver-Tip, from Wyoming, is much lighter in color than the Colorado specimen. Its face and head are so light-colored it would be called by Rocky Mountain hunters a “Bald-Faced” Grizzly. A third specimen was obtained for the Society at White Horse, Yukon Territory, in 1905, and its development will be watched with much interest. Throughout the Rocky Mountain region the “Silver-Tip” and the “Grizzly” are identical; but the color of the species varies considerably.

In a wild state Grizzly Bears live on berries and fruits of all kinds available, succulent roots, grubs, carrion if it comes handy, and live game if it can be killed. In the cattle-growing states bordering the Rocky Mountains, owing to their cattle-killing propensities, a bounty of from twelve to fifteen dollars per head is paid for their destruction.

The Black Bear, (_Ursus americanus_).—Until quite recently all black bears in North America were referred to a single species, with the type of which most persons are familiar. Even during the last twenty years living representatives of the Black Bear group have been found in nearly every state and territory of the United States, and also in northern Mexico, Labrador, Province of Quebec, Alberta, Assiniboia, British Columbia, Alaska, and the Mackenzie River basin. Our collection contains Black Bears representing several widely separated localities.

The Spectacled Bear, (_Ursus ornatus_).—After ten years of constant effort the Zoological Park finally acquired late in 1910, a fine male specimen of the very rare and little known Spectacled Bear of the Andes of Ecuador and Peru. This zoological prize was procured for us in Quito, by Mr. Edgar Beecher Bronson (Author of “In Closed Territory,”) and by him presented to the Society. “Frederico” is distinguished by a glossy jet-black coat, very small ears, long feet and a large imperfect circle of white around each eye, with white bands down the cheeks and throat. In size it matches a small American black bear. As soon as the new bear dens are finished, this animal will be removed from the Small-Mammal House to one of them. If this species was ever before exhibited in North America, we have never heard of it.

The Andean Black Bear, (_Ursus ornatus thomasi_), from Southern Columbia, South America, is a subspecies of the spectacled bear, with no “spectacles” around its eyes, and no white markings save under its chin and throat. This specimen is smaller than the one from Quito. Practically nothing is known of the habits of these two species.

The Brown Bear of Europe, (_Ursus arctos_), is represented by two specimens from Central Russia which bear a general resemblance to Rocky Mountain grizzlies. This is so striking that were they not labeled very few persons would suspect their European birth. They have the high shoulders and grizzly brown coat of the silver-tip, and in the Rocky Mountains would be considered good examples of _Ursus horribilis_.

This pair has bred four times and reared some very fine cubs.

The Syrian Bear, (_Ursus syriacus_), is well represented by a fine specimen from Trebizond, Asia Minor. This bear is of a pale yellow color, with very high shoulders, narrow head and smooth pelage. The Syrian bear represents “the bears of the Bible,” which appeared in punishment of the children who were disrespectful to the prophet Elisha. Bears of this species are often trained to dance, and perform various tricks at command, and usually lead very miserable lives at the hands of gypsies and other bear specialists of nomadic habits.

The Hairy-Eared Bear, (_Ursus piscator_), a species very rarely seen in captivity, is represented by two fine specimens from the Altai Mountains, Central Asia. This animal is sometimes called, on account of its peculiar light brown color, the Isabella Bear. Its more correct name has been bestowed on account of its large and very hairy ears. It inhabits northeastern Asia, as far southwestward as the Altai Mountains. The fine pair exhibited were presented to the Society by Mr. Carl Hagenbeck.

The Himalayan Black Bear, (_Ursus torquatus_), is the handsomest of the four living species of black bears, and can easily be identified anywhere by three distinct characters, neither of which is possessed by any other black bear. They are, a _pure white chin_, _long side-whiskers on the jaws and sides of the neck_ and _very large ears_. Up to this date the geographic range of this very interesting animal has been recorded as extending from eastern Persia through Beluchistan, Afghanistan, Assam, and South China to Formosa; but the three specimens exhibited were taken in northern Japan, where the existence of this species seems to be established beyond question.

The Japanese Black Bear, (_Ursus japonicus_), from northern Japan, is one of the smallest of living bears, being only slightly larger than the Malay sun bear. In general appearance it suggests a small edition of the American black bear. The first specimen exhibited at the Zoological Park was very good-natured, but all these received since are nervous and irritable, and also very timid.

The Sloth Bear, (_Ursus labiatus_), often called the Long-Lipped Bear, can be recognized as far as it can be seen by its shaggy mop of enormously long, black hair, its white muzzle, and its very long, white claws. It is a creature of many peculiarities. It inhabits India generally in forest regions. This is Kipling’s “Baloo.”

LIST OF BEARS IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.
April 1, 1913.

2 Polar Bears _Ursus maritimus_ from Ellesmere Land.
2 Yakutat Bears _Ursus dalli_ “ Alaska.
1 Peninsula Bear _Ursus gyas_ “ Alaska Peninsula.
1 Admiralty Bear _Ursus eulophus_ “ Adm. Is., Alaska.
3 Kadiak Bears _Ursus middendorffi_ “ Kadiak Island.
1 Kobuk Brown Bear Undetermined “ Kobuk River, AL
1 Grizzly Bear _Ursus horribilis_ “ Colorado.
1 “ “ “ “ “ Yukon Terr.
1 “ “ “ “ “ Wyoming.
1 Spectacled Bear _Ursus ornatus_ “ Equador.
1 Andean Black Bear _Ursus ornatus “ Columbia, S. A.
thomasi_
1 Black Bear _Ursus americanus_ “ Pennsylvania.
1 “ “ “ “ “ Virginia.
3 “ “ “ “ “ Alaska.
1 “ “ “ “ “ West Ontario.
1 “ “ “ “ “ Mexico.
1 Cinnamon Bear “ “ “ Colorado.
1 “ “ “ “ “ Wyoming.
1 Syrian Bear _Ursus syriacus_ “ Asiatic Turkey.
3 Brown Bears _Ursus arctos_ “ Central Russia.
2 Hairy-Eared Bears _Ursus piscator_ “ N. W. Mongolia.
1 Himalayan Black _Ursus torquatus_ “ Japan.
Bear
1 Japanese Bear _Ursus japonicus_ “ Japan.
1 Sloth Bear _Ursus labiatus_ “ India.
2 Yezo Bears _Ursus ferox_ “ Yezo, Japan.
1 Malay Sun Bear _Ursus malayanus_ “ Borneo.
36 specimens, representing 18 species.

The Malay Sun Bear, (_Ursus malayanus_), is the smallest bear in the world, also the ugliest and the most ill-tempered. When fully enraged, it sometimes barks like a dog. Its hair is very short and close, and its head and feet seem to be too large for its body. This species inhabits Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and Farther India. Two specimens will be found _in the Small-Mammal House_.

THE RACCOON TREE.

The Raccoon Tree.—A permanent installation for Raccoons has been established near the southern end of the Bear Dens, where its inmates will be near their plantigrade relatives. At the foot of the steps leading down from the Rocking Stone, a cedar-tree, forty feet in height, has been enclosed by an elliptical iron fence provided with a sheet-metal overhang which is not negotiable by any _Procyon_. Inside the fence is a dry yard, a pool of water for all purposes, and the trunk of the tree is surrounded by a rustic shelter house, divided into ten warm and dry compartments. Underneath the house is a clean and smooth wooden floor, on which the food is served.

The smooth, horizontal limbs of a cedar-tree are grateful and comforting to a dozing Raccoon, and the tree is not so high that the animals can climb beyond the visual power of the visitor.

THE BEAVER POND, No. 29.

Hidden away in the deep valley between high hills of virgin forest lies the Beaver Pond. The spot is so secluded, so silent and primeval, that it seems like the heart of the Adirondack wilderness. Lying fairly in the lap of the granite hills is a three-acre oval of level swamp, which recently was full of woodland rubbish and choked by rank weeds. The seclusion of the spot, the splendid forest, the food-wood and the possibilities of the dam, all naturally suggested the beaver.

In order that the building of a dam by the beavers would not raise the water level so high as to flood the roots of a number of fine forest trees and destroy them, two feet of soil was taken out of the swamp, and at the same time a broad outlet was excavated. A fence of small iron bars, with an overhang, was designed to encircle an area of about three acres. Within the enclosure thus made, stand several large forest trees—chiefly oak, sweet gum, and maple—which have been protected by guards of wire and corrugated iron. The small maples, however, have been given over to the beavers, to cut down and use as food-wood and also in their dam-building operations.

The Beaver Colony in our pond is in good working order, and its display of work makes a highly satisfactory exhibit. The dam, about 40 feet long and 4 feet high, was built of poles and sticks which were cut, peeled, floated down and placed by the beavers, and pointed up with mud. There is a house 10 feet in diameter and 4 feet high, similarly constructed. Within the enclosure about twenty saplings and trees have been cut down by the beavers and used up for food and building materials.

For this colony the Society is indebted to Mr. Hugh J. Chisholm, who procured for it two specimens from Canada and three from Maine.

The American Beaver, (_Castor canadensis_), is a remarkable animal. In original thought it is equalled by few animals, and in industry by none. With the possible exception of the porcupine, it is the largest gnawing animal in North America, once was widely distributed, and its beautiful fur has been in demand ever since the days of the colonists. Unfortunately, the Beaver’s intelligence was directed chiefly to the building of dams, canals, and houses, and procuring an abundant supply of food-wood, rather than in providing itself with means of escape from its arch enemy—the man with a steel trap. Because of the constant demand for its fur, this animal has been so nearly exterminated throughout the United States that practically none remains save where they are rigidly protected. At present the largest colonies known are those in the Yellowstone Park, although in Canada and the Northwest many still remain.

The most wonderful thing about the Beaver is the manner in which he builds dams, to make ponds deep enough for his timber-floating operations, and to afford him a submarine passage to his house. Give him a valley and a stream of water, and he will gladly make a pond out of whatever raw materials are at hand. He uses the four-foot sticks from which he has eaten the bark for food, and with these, and an abundance of mud, he will raise a good strong dam to a height of four feet, and a width on the ground of ten feet or more. The mud used is dug out of the bottom and sides of his pond, and carried, while swimming, between his paws, with his front feet holding it against his breast. The sticks used in the dam are thrust endwise into the mud on top of the dam, and the mud used is patted down with his fore feet. The tail is not used as a trowel, but in swimming it is the Beaver’s propeller.

In captivity the Beaver is not wholly a satisfactory animal. Like some human craftsmen, he positively declines to work under observation, and performs nearly all his tasks at night. He thinks nothing of gnawing down a tree a foot in diameter, and cutting its limbs into pieces which he can handle while swimming. If he can secure enough food-wood of kinds of his liking, he eats little else. Besides building dams to create ponds in which he can take refuge when hard pressed, he constructs canals, and houses for winter use. He also digs burrows into high banks; but his entrances to his various homes always are under water.

THE ECONOMIC RODENT-REPTILE COLLECTION.

As an answer to a frequent question—“Of what use are reptiles?”—a new collection has been installed in the Reptile House. It is supplied with descriptive labels, and serves several purposes. In the first place there is presented an elaborate series of the small gnawing animals, or rodents, a number of the species of which are highly injurious to the interests of agriculturists; secondly, the exhibition contains a large series of those species of snakes that prey upon the destructive rodents,—thus presenting for observation the serpents of marked economic value. Finally, the entire series stands as a clear demonstration of the perfect logic of Nature in which the production of all animal life is carefully balanced; for a part of the exhibition is composed of representative species of mammals that, in turn, prey upon the serpents, thus keeping even the destroyers of the smaller injurious creatures within bounds!

During the past two years the collection of rodents has been steadily growing in importance. The following is a list of the species on exhibition at the close of the year 1912:

RODENTS IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK.
HARES AND RABBITS (_Leporidae_)

Mexican Swamp Rabbit _Lepus palustris_.
Cotton-Tail Rabbit _Lepus palustris mallurus_.
Domestic Rabbits, various breeds (Nursery stock.)

SQUIRRELS AND MARMOTS (_Sciuridae_)

Thirteen-Lined Spermophile _Spermophilus 13-lineatus_.
Desert Spermophile _Spermophilus leucurus_.
Richardson Spermophile _Spermophilus richardsoni_.
Woodchuck _Arctomys monax_.
Prairie Dog _Cynomys ludovicianus_.
European Squirrel _Sciurus vulgaris_.
Mexican Squirrel _Sciurus aureogaster_.
Central American Squirrel _Sciurus variabilis_.
Cuban Squirrel _Sciurus chrysurus_.
Variable Squirrel _Sciurus griseo-flavus_.
Gray Squirrel _Sciurus carolinensis_.
Black Squirrel _Sciurus carolinensis niger_.
Fox Squirrel _Sciurus ludovicianus_.
White-Headed Squirrel _Sciurus macrouroides_.
Malabar Squirrel _Sciurus malabaricus_.
Chipmunk _Tamicis striatus_.
African Ground Squirrel _Xerus capensis_.
Flying Squirrel _Sciuropterus volans_.

BEAVERS (_Castoridae_)

American Beaver _Castor canadensis_.

KANGAROO RATS (_Heteromyidae_)

Kangaroo Rat _Dipodomys merriami_.

POCKET GOPHERS (_Geomyidae_)

Harsh-Coated Pocket Gopher _Geomys hispidus_.

DORMICE (_Gliridae_)

Squirrel-Tailed Dormouse _Myoxus glis_.
Lesser Dormouse _Myoxus dryas_.
English Dormouse _Muscardinus avellanarius_.

MICE AND RATS (_Muridae_)

Domestic Mouse—Unusual Color Phases _Mus musculus_.
Japanese Waltzing Mouse _Mus musculus_.
Black Rat _Mus rattus_.
Black-and-White Rat _Mus norwegicus_.
Gray-and-White Rat _Mus norwegicus_.
Porcupine Mouse _Acomys cahirinus_.
Egyptian Gerbille _Gerbillus pyramidum_.
Muskrat _Fiber zibethicus_.
Cotton Rat _Sigmodon hispidus_.

JERBOAS (_Dipodidae_)

Greater Jerboa _Dipus aegyptius_.

COYPU AND SPINY RATS (_Octodontidae_)

Coypu Rat _Myocastor coypu_.
Hutia: Cuban Tree Rat _Capromys pilorides_.
Short-Tailed Hutia _Capromys browni_.

PORCUPINES (_Hystricidae_)

Canada Porcupine _Erethizon dorsatus_.
Brazilian Porcupine _Sphingurus prehensilis_.
African Porcupine _Hystrix cristata_.

VISCACHAS AND CHINCHILLAS (_Chinchillidae_)

Viscacha _Lagostoma trichodactylus_.

AGOUTIS (_Dasyproctidae_)

Golden Agouti _Dasyprocta agouti_.
Gray Agouti _Dasyprocta prymnolopha_.

CAVIES (_Caviidae_)

Domestic Cavy _Cavia porcellus_.
Capybara _Hydrochaerus capybara_.
Patagonian Cavy _Dolichotis patagonica_.