Small-toothed ferret-badger
The Chinese ferret-badger (Melogale moschata ), also known as the small-toothed ferret-badger is a member of the Mustelidae, and widely distributed in Southeast Asia. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and considered tolerant of modified habitat.
The Chinese ferret-badger is densely distributed from Northeast India north to Central China south to northern Indochina. The Formosan ferret-badger (M. subaurantiaca ) of Taiwan was formerly considered conspecific, but is now thought to be a distinct species.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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FossorialA fossorial animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, ...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
Nomadic animals regularly move to and from the same areas within a well-defined range. Most animals travel in groups in search of better territorie...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Chinese ferret-badger is a mustelid widely distributed in Southeast Asia. Distinctive mask-like face markings distinguish it from most other oriental mustelids. The ferret badger acclimates well to areas of human habitation, taking advantage of human-made sites suitable as resting spots, such as firewood stacks and rock piles, and using farmland and vegetable gardens as feeding sites.
Chinese ferret-badgers are found from north-eastern India to southern China, including Hainan Island, and south to Hong Kong and northern Indochina. They live in grassland, open forests, and tropical rainforests. They also temporarily reside in agricultural areas such as rice paddies, soybean, cotton, or grass fields.
Chinese ferret-badgers are active at dusk and at night. The rest during the day in burrows of small rodents, or natural formations, such as rock crevices. They also construct makeshift shelters in shallow depressions in the ground. Chinese ferret-badgers have small home ranges that average around 10.6 ha (26 acres) in area. The home ranges of male and female ferret-badgers overlap, suggesting a lack of territoriality between members of the species. Despite their small home ranges, however, these animals are relatively nomadic creatures, moving from one resting spot to the next without establishing permanent residence. They may establish single-use resting spots, or choose to inhabit a particular place for a period of several days. Despite spending most of their time on the ground, Chinese ferret-badgers are good climbers. When alarmed they emit foul-smelling secretions from a gland located under their tail.
Chinese ferret-badgers are omnivores feeding on fruit, insects, small animals, and worms. Earthworms, amphibians, and insects are important components of their diet. They also eat fleshy fruits such as of Chinese plum, oriental raisin tree, date-plum, and Chinese kiwi.
Chinese ferret-badgers breed in March and the female gives birth to a litter of up to 3 young in May or June. The newborns are blind and well-furred, with the same color pattern as the adults. Their eyes open at about 2 weeks of age and weaning occurs between 2 and 3 months of age.
Ferret badgers are among the most hunted fur-bearing animals in Southern China but maintain relatively high population densities in part due to their nearly-inedible meat and the low prices of their pelts.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Chinese ferret-badger total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.