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N A M E :
L A T I N M E A N I N G :
I D E N T I F I C A T I O N :
R A N G E A N D H A B I T A T :
N I C H E S :
B E N E F I T S :
O F F S P R I N G :
C O M P A R A B L E B E A S T S :
R A N G E M A P
THE TRIPODERO.
(Collapsofemuris geocatapeltes.)
The chaparral and foothill forests of California contain many
queer freaks of one kind and another. One of the strangest
and least known is the tripodero, and animal with two contractile
or telescopic legs and a tail like a kangaroo's. This peculiarity
in structure enables the animal to elevate itself at will, so that
it may tower above the chaparral, or, if it chooses, to pull in its
legs and present a compact form for crowding through the
brush. The tripodero's body is not large but is solidly built,
and its head is nearly all snout, the value of which is seen in
the method by which food is obtain. As the animal travels
through the brush-covered country it elongates its legs from
time to time, thus shoving itself up above the brush for pur-
poses of observation. If it sights game within a range of ten
rods it takes aim with its snout and tilts itself until the right
elevation is obtained, then with astonishing force blows a sun-
dried quid of clay, knocking its victim senseless. (A supply of
these quids is always carried in the left jaw.) The tripodero
then contracts its legs and bores its way through the brush to
its victim, where it stays until the last bone is cracked and
eaten. ############################################
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