The wonders of the animal kingdom. Exhibiting delineations of the most distinguished wild animals in the various menageries of this country / By Robert Huish.

  • Robert Huish
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The wonders of the animal kingdom. Exhibiting delineations of the most distinguished wild animals in the various menageries of this country / By Robert Huish. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    75/140 (page 63)
    THE RATEL. 63 THE RATEL, IN THE ROYAIi MENAGERY, TOWER OF LONDON.; It is to La Caille, in his voyage to the Cape, that we are indebted for the first clear description of tlie Rate], which he designates as the Blaireau j)uant; and we are also indebted to Sparrman for much accurate information respecting this extraordinary animal. In size the ratel nearly approaches the badger, and in form it has some remote resemblance to that animal. The whole of the upper surface of the body is remarkably broad and flat, comprehending also the top of the head and the neck; which, as well as the entire plane of the back, and the root of the tail, are of a dull ashen gray, rather white towards the head, and forming a singular contrast ■with the under parts, the muzzle, the contour of the eyes and of the ears, the limbs, and the remainder of the tail, which are throughout perfectly black. The hide of the ratel is so thick and tough, that there is scarcely any way of destroying him, but by beating him about the head, or plunging a knife into his body. The shortness of his legs will not permit him to make his escape by flight when pursued by hounds. The hair all over the body, althougb seemingly smooth, is remarkably stiff and wiry. The claws on the fore-feet are extremely long, and although not very strongly curved, are of considerable power, being formed for burrowing, an operation which, according to the testimony of all writers, is performed by this animal with uncommon dexterity. It has five toes upon each foot, each of the toes being surmounted by unre- tractile claws, which are slightly arched, and grooved along their under surface. Of these claws the middle three are much longer than the lateral, and .the internal one is placed far behind the others. The total length of the animal is about three feet, of which its tail forms little more than a sixth. Its height does not exceed ten or twelve inches, and the length of its fore-claws, when not worn down by constant use, is about an inch and a half. The ratel is formed by nature to be the adversary of bees, and the unwelcome visitor of their habi- tations. In regard to this singular habit of the animal, the authority of Sparrman has been generally received, although subsequent accounts, particularly those received from General Hardwicke, impart to it a character very much resembling tbe ferocious and disgusting one of the hyasna. Still, however, it must be borne in mind, that the ratel of India, and that of central Africa, are distinct species of the viverra genus, and in their habits bear little or no resemblance to each other. S)>arrman thus describes the ratel of Africa in its pursuits after the mellifluous stores of the bees :—‘‘ Towards sunset he issues from his hole, and immediately commences the execution of his cunning plans, for the destruction of the hives. He places himself before his hole, sitting upright, and holding one of his paws before his eyes, in order to modify the rays of the sun, and at the same time to procure a distinct view of the object of his pursuit. Peering thus on each side of its paw opposite to the sun, he knows, when he sees any bees on the wing, that they are proceeding straight to their habitation ; and, conse- quently, he takes care to keep in the same direction, in order to discover their retreat. Should it how- ever happen that the bees, contrary to their usual custom, have established themselves in the hollow of some tree, at a considerable distance from the ground, the animal, unable to climb, finds himself foiled in his expectations, and in the first transports of his rage at his disappointment, he wreaks his vengeance upon the tree, by biting the trunk around, and these marks are certain indications to the Hottentots that a bees’ nest is to be found there.” 17 s