Into the Small-Mammal House have drifted and comfortably settled down several canine species which are not so well satisfied, elsewhere. The Black-Backed Jackal, (Canis mesomelas), of Africa, is one of the most interesting, and it is also the one that thrives best in captivity. It is very much like a dark phase of the Azara Dog, of South America, and it is the handsomest of all the Jackals. The Cape Hunting Dog, of eastern Africa, has for years been present in this building, and it will be kept as continuously as circumstances will permit.
The New Mexico Desert Fox, (Vulpes macrotis neomexicanus), is a small understudy of the better known Swift or Kit Fox of the northern plains, but it has larger ears. Neither of these delicate little species seems to thrive in our large Fox Dens, which seem to be too large for them; but in this building they thrive and are quite content with life. The Swift Fox is the four-footed elf of the plains, and it is unfortunate that the poison laid for the fierce and cruel stock-killing wolves should prove its extermination—as it surely will, ere long.
The Arctic Fox, (Vulpes lagopus).—This creature of the polar world is a striking example of climatic influence on a species, and also of the danger that lies in describing a species from a single specimen. In the far north, the Arctic Fox is snow-white all the year round. Farther south it is white in winter, but in summer is bluish-brown. In the southern part of its range, the Aleutian Archipelago for example, except for an occasional white individual, it is dark all the year round, and is known only as the Blue Fox. At first it may seem difficult to believe that these two widely-different extremes are only color-phases of the same species; but it is quite true. The dark-colored animal is not even accorded subspecific rank.
On various islands along the Alaska coast, especially in the Aleutian Archipelago, about forty commercial companies are engaged in breeding Blue Foxes for their fur, some of them with satisfactory success. The foxes are fed daily, on cooked corn meal and dried fish. They come up to be fed, and when the time comes to handle and sort them previous to killing the annual allotment, they greatly facilitate matters by the readiness with which they enter box traps.
The great decrease in the annual supply of good fur has caused many persons to hope that fox-breeding may be developed into a remunerative industry. Except in Alaska, no extensive experiments in that line have been made. It is quite desirable that fox-breeding in the United States should be taken up under state or national auspices, and worked out to a successful issue. There is good reason to hope and believe that it might be developed into an important industry.
From Argentina, South America, have come two fine specimens of the Azara Dog, (Canis azarae), which, but for their half dog-like tails might pass anywhere as rather odd-looking gray foxes. But they are a visible reminder of the fact that the pampas of South America contain an extensive series of foxes and wild dogs, which thus far is practically unknown everywhere north of the Amazon.
The Dingo, or Australian Wild Dog, (Canis dingo), is represented by two specimens which look like ordinary yellow dogs. By many persons it is believed that this animal was not indigenous to Australia, and was planted there by man, but the evidence in support of that supposition is by no means conclusive.
The Coati-Mundi, (pronounced coy-ty mon-day), is for its size one of the best exhibition animals that can be found outside of the Primate House. It is closely related to our raccoon, but is far more showy and interesting. It has a very lively and industrious disposition, is a good climber, and from dawn until dark is almost constantly on the move. Although it is a carnivorous animal, and provided with powerful canine teeth, it is not naturally quarrelsome, but on the contrary is quite gregarious in its habits. The genus Nasua inhabits Mexico, Central and South America. We have two species, the Red Coati-Mondi, (Nasua rufa), and the White-Nosed, (N. narica).
The Raccoon Dog, of Japan, (Nyctereutes procyonoides), is to all outward appearances a raccoon, but its feet are digitigrade, not plantigrade, and it is a true dog.
The American Badger, (Taxidea americana), is represented by a fine, large and very light-colored specimen that was presented by President Roosevelt. The European Badger, (Meles taxus), is shown near by.