World of animals 1 mammals small carnivores by Angel C

Raccoons, Weasels, Otters, Skunks

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WORLD

ANIMALS

Raccoons, Weasels, Otters, Skunks...

PAT MORRIS, AMY-JANE BEER

GROLIER

Published 2003 by Grolier, Danbury, CT 06816

division of Scholastic Library Publishing

This edition published exclusively for the school

and

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Planned and produced by

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11-13 The Vineyard, Abingdon, Oxon 0X14 3PX

the

weasel family: European

badger

(1);

pine marten

(2);

www.andromeda.co.uk

European polecat (3);

wolverine

(4).

Andromeda Oxford

No part may be reproduced, stored

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2003

of this publication in

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Morris, Pat. / [Pat

Morris,

Amy-Jane

Beer, Erica Bower],

Contents

Art Editor and Designer:

Small carnivores

-- v. 3.

Large carnivores

mammals

Sea

-- v.

-- v. 6. Ruminant (horned) herbivores -- v. 7. Rodents -- v. 9. Insectivores and bats -- v. 10. Marsupials. and lagomorphs v 8 Rodents 2 ISBN 0-7172-5742-8 (set alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5743-6 (v.1 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5744-4 (v.2 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5745-2 (v.3 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5746-0 (v.4 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5747-9 (v.5 alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-7172-5748-7 (v.6 alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-7172-5749-5 (v.7 alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-7172-5750-9 (v.8 alk. paper) - ISBN 0-7172-5751-7 (v.9 alk. paper) - ISBN

Primates

-- v,

Large herbivores

Angela Davies, Penny Mathias

Editors:

cm. - (World of animals)

Graham Bateman

Project Director:

Mammals

Steve

Marian

Editorial Assistants:

Dreier, Rita

Demetriou

McCurdy

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Cartographic Editor:

Picture

Manager:

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Picture Researcher:

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0-7172-5752-5 1

alk

Mammals-Juvemle

Clive Sparling

Researchers:

Dr. Erica

Bower, Rachael Brooks,

Rachael Murton, Eleanor

paper)

literature

[1.

Mammals

]

Beer,

Amy-Jane.

II.

Bower,

Thomas

Erica.

Origination: Unifoto International, South Africa

World of animals (Danbury, Conn.)

Title

Ill

(v .10

Production:

OL706 2 M675 2003 599-dc2

Printed in China

RfF

About This Volume

2002073860

Set ISBN 0-7172-5742-8

lU'v

MlclS

200 3 volume

n this

introduce you to the basic features of

all

mammals.

then go on to cover several carnivore

I groups, from weasels to otters to skunks and mongooses, which are mostly distinguished by their small carnivores tend to be

average domestic

cat, yet

Despite their small

and rather

alert, active,

less

dangerous to

size, several

o’

' i

•on'

]

and

tigers (see

Volume

vorc', inhabit life

2),

They are natural-born

like insects,

kill

numbers

live

them

smaller than the

which are too small

to bother with.

for the larger

and more dramatic carnivores, such

However, several species have a varied

diet,

ranging from

every continent (except Antarctica) and most major habitats, although only one

the sea

whi e others

many

animals larger than themselves. But being small also offers

Many

are adapted to tree climbing,

derground, emerging to hunt rodents and rabbits at night. group',,

killers,

their prey.

species regularly

opportunities to exploit prey animals r,

fierce.

alone

Some

size. All

where they pursue prey

Some

small carnivores

or lurk

live in

fish to fruit.

— the sea otter

ambush. Others

highly organized social

species are quite numerous, but others have been reduced to perilously low

as a result of hunting for their lustrous

and valuable

furs.

live

Contents How to

Use This Set

American Badger

Find the Animal

WHAT IS A MAMMAL?

SMALL CARNIVORES

European Badger panda

lives in

temperate

Striped

THE RACCOON FAMILY

Common

Raccoon

The red or lesser

Honey Badger

Ringtailed Coati

Red Randa

THE WEASEL FAMILY

Least Weasel

Skunk

THE CIVET AND GENET FAMILY

Common Genet

Common

Palm Civet

Fossa

Stoat Polecat

Black-Footed Ferret

THE MONGOOSE FAMILY

Meerkat

100

Dwarf Mongoose

106

Indian Gray

American Marten

Fisher

American Mink

Wolverine

European Otter

Mongoose

108

Banded Mongoose List

110

of Species

112

Glossaiy

114

SEE ALSO

mon

from

contrast, the

species (P flavus)

Baaaricyon (olmgo) 5 name), B

coatis have long,

mountain

1:22, Coati, Ringtailed 1:28, Panda, Red 1:30

wl 1

,!//f

i ri :

•>'

Jiii /

If'

y oJm

if*

wjBSl

IMifmtwm

nP Hi ThSt

f'.B

©A

pair of ringtails. The species

was

w it# Ik?-/

originally reared as a

prospectors' camps in the early American West, hence

name

its

mouser

alternative

of "miner's cat."

Lifestyle Procyonids can generally no

live

for

more than seven

until their

their first spring.

and provide

all

They give

birth in

occupy

a diversity of habitats ranging

through most of

forests,

are

while coatis prefer more

found

American

cliffs

wooded

and dry

regions. Olingos

tropical rain forests, while the

adaptable raccoons thrive

panda

rocky

in all

of these habitats.

The red

confined to Asia, favoring remote, high-altitude

forests. All

procyonids are nocturnal, except the coatis,

which are mainly active during the

day.

litters

and are poorly of three or four, but

pandas produce only one or two young

at a time,

and kinkajous usually only one.

North, Central, and South America. The ringtails and

cacomistles are found mainly

dens or nests

the parental care. At birth the young

developed. Most species have red

but

the wild. While males

weigh only about 5 ounces (142

The procyomds (excluding the red panda)

in captivity,

second year to breed, females usually do

wait in

10 to 15 years

Recent studies of the raccoon family reveal that their social structure

as the coati

move around

the

seem

ringtail,

the Procyomdae

to be

the wild

complex. Species such

large social groups. Others,

solitary.

While some of

—such as the common raccoon — are

thriving, others are classified

by the IUCN as Endangered

The red panda, olingo, and cacomistle are among those in

decline as a result of destruction of forest habitats.

CARNIVORES

Sr.'A__

Common Common name

Raccoon

Cor"non raccoon Scientific

Procyon

lotor

Raccoons are one of the most familiar North American animals. Their adaptability has allowed

Family procyon cae

Order Cam vora Lengtt-

reacted.'

tenet"

8-12

8-27

Procyon lotor

name

43-68 cm);

them

tail

succeed

a wide range of habitats while

ir*

20-30

err

;

he ght at

shoulder about 10-12 n 25-30

25%

about *

1— 3 *

Key features

but sometimes up to 33

bandit* face mask, accentuated by

raccoon's \~eujge\ce, atertness, and

gray cars above and below, black eyes; short,

curiosity

rcureed

settlers

and

bushy

ears;

black

with alternate

ngs fusua /

body

5);

brown

hairs long

were

females

may

so'itary,

although related

ve close to one another

speed of learning

somewhere between and the domestic

Breeding

Four to 6 young born around February to

Ap after gestation period of 63 days. Weaned at 7 weeks, fema’es usua iy sexually r

;

mature by the

Voice

May

/e over

16m

the wild

r f ^st 1

7 years

captivity,

up to

Chitters, purrs, hisses, barks, growls, snarls,

Fruit,

and seeds;

crayfish, clams, sna.

Almost anywhere

Distribution Southern Canada,

and earthworms; crops

North America, including

can become quite a handful.

Masked Bandits Raccoons are unmistakable animals, with their

stout

little

tail.

across the

They have

bodies, typically weighing

and 18 pounds

weights are

and 8

known

kg),

between

although

change with season and

and Central

common

of raccoon family; continues to

range and increase

numbers

than

southern ones. The heaviest raccoon recorded

reached 62.4 pounds (28.3

its

mask

distribution; northern animals are larger

Population abundant Most

expand

Young accoons make

ntrigumg pets, a though as they mature, they

1 1

America

member

cat.

monkey

also fish,

urban areas

Status

that of the rhesus

eyes and their bushy, banded

such as corn and stored grain

Habitat

thought to be

characteristic black “bandit"

bernes. nuts,

in captivity,

spring, males by 2 years.

and squeaks Diet

Native Arre r car

Raccoons are often kept

*o!kiore.

and the Nocturnal mainly

a source of fascination to early

a^d are celebrated

and gray Habits

kg).

Enormous numbers of raccoons have been trapped or shot for their to

make

kept

jackets

in captivity

and

farming, the to France,

of Russia

Raccoons are also

gams

to be

made from

Germam ana

the 1930s and 1940s wild,

Switzerland, Austria,

As a fur

raccoon was introduced

Netherlands,

escaped into the

Some have

which are used

to supply the fur trade.

common

skins,

hats.

result of the financial

parts

Many

and raccoons spread to

and the Czech Republic.

also turned

Poland, Hungary,

Denmark, and Slovakia The European raccoons are

now sometimes

considered a nuisance.

The raccoon's coat

made up

of hair The short, fine underfur

SEE ALSO

extremely

popular with people.

-i Biaoc

make them

their appealing looks

Vale

arger than female

5-8 rg

err

R ngtailed 1:28, Panda.

two types

uniformly

Red 1:30, Old World Monkey Family. The 4:40

RACCOONS COMMON RACCOON

gray or brownish and provides the animals with

warmth and some

protection from the wet.

Growing from among stiffer

guard

hairs,

short coat are longer,

its

which are tipped with black

The density of the guard

or white.

hairs alters

the overall appearance of the coat, often giving it

shaggy

a fuzzy or

look.

Raccoons molt

the

early spring, with hair loss beginning at the

head and proceeding along the back. fur

New

grows throughout the summer to

provide extra

warmth

for the winter.

Many raccoons have amounts

of yellow

variable their coats,

and some albinos have been reported. Apart from size the

sexes are similar

appearance,

and juveniles resemble

adults.

Raccoons are excellent climbers, aided by sharp claws

and the

ability to rotate

the

hind foot through 180 degrees (thereby turning

Such

ability

backward).

makes them one

ÂŠ The raccoon's "bandit" eye mask, brown-and-black ringed

tail,

round ears are trademark

and

small,

characteristics of

this highly distinctive species.

Raccoon Currency

he raccoon's fur has always been the main reason for hunting

and trapping the animal. During the 17th century bans were

imposed to prevent too many raccoon

skins being exported

from the

United States. At one time the skins were used as currency; and

when

the frontiersmen of Tennessee set up the state of

Franklin, local officials received

each

year.

payments of "coonskins"

Although they are hard wearing, raccoon skins

are not especially valuable nowadays,

and trade

no longer

However, a movie

a threat to population size.

about Davy Crockett, king of the wild a

sudden fashion

frontier,

for coonskin caps like the

created

one worn

the movie, costing the

lives

many

them

raccoons!

iccoons omen use dens

‘

nr-r and speno The day

wvhem mar

almost a

•.

exceo*

©ve

dens mav

r»f

The

Trees.

& about 9 to

wmc^

m Tan

Each den

the

its

Alaonpuam worn amkun, wn.ch

only

washmp

ven

rts

oea:

occuped

’

refers to the

mor

name

scientific

-leamnp To wash

roughly translates as "ne

who

a reterence to the frequent grooming that

’

accoons. characteristically mouipe

tki

The German name waschbar.

raccoons nadir of washing

its

tood

taken from the Latin wore /ai*re

’

~he perception that raccoons wash themselves wrm then hands actually comes Timm observations

when

win®.;

roreoaws are a orominent teature and are name oe common name raccoon is derived from

skiltrui

scratcnes wrrh ms. hands

mom

accoon-

reflected

they wit

pm-prs protection

rencton anr the .veathe

tits:

brushy nests oic buildings

nr mies anc haystacks

.a s

ash nc Sears

«\

above the ground ~nev also use

bumnws

itwr

r* v

hollow

e— ance hr.* that

? ~

fee*

hang:

.a"'

air desceno nee funks near

':t

the

‘

Tacco°hs carchmp and Teedinp on aauaTic prey. ~ne\ danoie and splash, in the ware in an

tot

ongp w/np

•

over

u.c

twrtt\

mothe has sne

will

instinctive

afco

movmc

her

to catch,

aooearance of washing instinctive

a nr drfftcutr business

manne

off

(ever

tamny

fish, pivinq

their

food

every

the same

Pehavior disniaved by captive raccoons

when

there

the notion of the

water', that

washing bears

has encouraged

”

Water ^o\nnc h»e raccoor % torenaw.' nave e wel--aevetonpr sense o* rover

nrnughout ther range

acmons

anr air caaabK of miiaae mamoviaTior.

are found arm os:

a.-

skilttu as t

monkret

everywhere that ware; s avaiiab* They are mosr

mangroves hood niam v-

.."

>e*'

Garmons

are less

nev also Tenr tr avoir

true

oeoends on

cr The northern

southern a-vn

ana da thev

win place-

^ tartMT

an on

fleser;

live

areas Thev

parts,

iea lonp

of then Tanpe they

nrrt

to huddle tooethe’

Raccoons

acmmy

active

SCI

rate

The» body temperature stays

ALSO

warm whe-

tvnically active

fust

a neai

morn sunset to in

teedmg

before midnight Raccoons

vOasta marshes may be se*r.

all

they snuggle

a single den

aimouoh there

living

Teedmg durmo

the day whpr ther tood source oi crustaceans is

exposed

opfinnunsts. able to

whatever tood

nedme

long and

ur close Up to 25 raccoons have Peer known

a®

hear

am sieer Their

tall,

e^^ energy keening

the northern imitec States and

wimp

summer and

buildings

ano moMusks

Thei

resents they have Puih up

sunrise

surviva

denning togethe ovei wmTe: since they use

m att«ides above t t>HD

fcacroons do not hibernate and

Ther body weight Raccoons are ohten found

ivem and springs Raccoons

anpK round

nenod ther

Irrtle

harsh winters raccoons may lase up to naif of

united Stares and like

inactive

the- fa:

ove- the previous

pe ooen

Vherr they have spread out onto

metabolic rate remans

moemsrars. Since they consume

tood during ther

common

ia r

thei

high As a result They use more energy than

ub«ai: woodlands especially where pine

•

common m

hanpuy r suburban areas within

~ P-^'de

3n°C. are

95**F

anr abandoned tarmiands and can

-ec

o.iitt

•.

and mesh anr

marshes ~ney are also

are' .

Tnrests

at lovy tide

make a meal from

available

does

take advantage of so

above

The secret ot ther success

Am*

*v ?:3f

Raccoons

then

many kinds

ability

fond that

tr Tact

handime

its

roe raccoor

tooc

RACCOONS COMMON RACCOON

most areas plants provide the main food

eaten by raccoons, espec

ally,

will also

born a few weeks

eat

earthworms and nsects and sometimes stored gram. Corn

a particular favorite

taken jst before

it is

noe

and

jsua

a.^c ready *or

'za r ds.

".ran

Where trey

near turt e nesting beaches, they ;

a^d

steal

the buried eggs. They wi

other vertebrates such as gopne shrews, rabb

forage beside lakes, or

and

ts,

aiso eat squi

rr els,

fish,

such

and other aquatic

spring, although

animals. They also take

not breed unt

strong swimmers.

birth

raccoons weigh about 2 to 3

ounces ^60 to 75 inches

cm,

and measure about 4

in length.

They are covered n

although the mask and

tai

rings are

represented or y by dark-pigmented skin. Afte r

Their iegs

/ely

become

their eyes,

and making ch strong

tter

enough

when

ng noises.

for walking first

molt

they shed the

mfant coat, and the adult fur begins to grow.

Raccoons become sexua

and are

a factor that limits

the spread of raccoons farther north.

occurs at seven weeks,

Breeding

being

and May. The

by the fourth to sixth week. Their

horses.

crayfish, clams, snails,

readily to water

may be

squirming act

marshy areas

where they feed on

to survive the winter

from the corpse. Raccoons occasion a y

mamma s

litters

born, the less chance

about three weeks they open

and even

between

the young have to fatten up for winter. Inability

dig jo

itter is

â&#x20AC;&#x17E;sus y a r eady dead, so the r accoons just feed

as deer, cows,

rivers,

nk; but suc^ an mals are

scavenge the rema ns of arger

C Raccoons often

usually

later in April

ater n the year a

consumption. Raccoons also eat small birds and

somet mes snakes and

February and March, with most

fleshy fruit,

and seeds. They

berries, nuts,

the breeding season

some

their

matu re

particularly

n trie

*irst

males do

secona season. Mat ng can

be from Decemoe- through August, occur' ng ater in the season farther south.

Tne pea< of

Weaning takes and the young

place from seven weeks,

start to leave

forage for themse ves. They

the nest and

may

still

be suckled

by their mother for up to four months. By ,jvenies

may we.gh up

fall

to 15 pounds 7 kg

City Slickers matings

^phe I

variety of

become

Males may

to thrive in a

In fact,

occupy

will

live

alone or

small groups

and

a distinct territory ranging in size

from 125 to 12,500 acres (50 to 5,000

has

human-dominated

environments.

range, with the smaller males

securing a few matings each.

raccoon's adaptability has

enabled

in his

roam over 1,500

general, raccoons will

very familiar to city

ha). In

a year. Males

may

acres

dwellers. However, these

(600 ha)

masked bandits are notorious

but they disperse during the breeding season,

for raiding

garbage

known

only are they

when

Not

bins.

fighting

travel together;

and competition between them

increase. Social relations are probably

to carry

]

away whole

established

bins, but the

mmble-fmgered

raiders

The secret of the

to secure the bins, rather than

can

make

common

raccoon's success

that

different calls

scents. At least 13

have been identified

Sounds are used between

meal of almost any available food,

raccoons.

individuals in close

proximity to each other. Mothers keep

including the contents of garbage baskets.

through them.

and

postures, vocalizations,

have

also learned to untie ropes used

bite

and signaled through various

touch

with their young by purring sounds, while

and snorts express

hissing, short barks,

common

Despite the success of the

but

full

size

not reached

year. Families generally share a

and the young raccoons

the second

until

den over

leave their

will

by the spring. Few wild raccoons five years,

but

some

survive

after

was

mother

more than

live

up to 16

oldest recorded captive raccoon

raccoon, several related species

winter,

The

years. still

living

Cozumel

Social Organization

by the

listed

as Endangered. The Barbados raccoon

(Procyon gloverellani) extinct

sometime

is little

common Two young raccoons

raccoon {Procyon pygmaeus)

Island

— are

there

years.

—such as the

from southeastern Mexico

IUCN

fear.

said to

have become However,

after the 1960s.

compromise the

survival of the

raccoon. Predators such as wolves,

bobcats, pumas, great horned owls, and I

their nest in a

tree.

hollow

to look for their

food, their

move them ground

to a

start

own

mother

will

den

level to prevent

them from

falling.

social organization of

raccoons

However, several females related still

—

will live in

— usually

males

will also

alligators

solitary.

raccoons actually

inhabit the

One

same

The main cause

mate

relatively

for

few are

concern

the

can be transmitted to humans, such as

season females mate with between one and

leptospirosis, tularemia,

for

mating

competition between males

privileges,

with heavier males

gaining greater access to the females. successful male

likely to

(and worst of is

One

responsible for over half the

killed.

common

raccoon's susceptibility to certain diseases that

with the resident females. During the breeding

four males. There

few

Common

prey to them.

fall

"coon hunting"), but

area and

a small threat, but

raccoons are also hunted for sport (known as

closely

areas that overlap, but they

tend to avoid each other.

may pose

not well

known, although adults are generally

As they gain

independence and

The

all)

rabies.

The

the major carrier of rabies

United States and all

and most commonly

common in

raccoon

the southeastern

1997 accounted

for half of

reported cases of rabies from wild animals

the whole country. Raccoons also often host a

type of parasitic the raccoon

roundworm

itself,

that

it is

species,

common

raccoon

expanding

harmless to in

small children.

so familiar in North America

often the topic of TV cartoons. it is

may cause death

but

domestic animals and even

The

that

successful

both range and numbers.

SMALL CARNIVORES

Common name

Ringtailed Coati

Ringta>ied coati (coatimundi)

name Nasua

Scientific

Nasua nasua

nasua

Family Procyonidae

and

The ring tailed coati

Latin name, nasua,

means "nosy one" and

intelligent

sociable. Its

Order Carnivora

aptly

Size Length head/body:

16-26 tail

describes the inquisitive, long-snouted raccoon.

(41-67 cm);

length: 12.5-27

(32-69 cm); height shoulder: up to 12

resemble a slender version of their black-

(30 cm). Male generally

Weight

7-13

flexible snout; long,

banded

common

raccoon. Like

and bold

facial

tail

markings. Their forelegs are

shorter than their hind legs, so coatis always

reddish-brown to black upper

stocky,

cousin, the

raccoons, they have a distinctive banded

(3â&#x20AC;&#x201D;6 kg)

Key features Long, tail;

masked

female

larger than

glance coatis (often called coatimundis)

first

body, yellowing underneath; coat has coarse,

seem

to walk with their

bottom held high

the

long hairs; distinctive white muzzle, chin, air,

and throat

accentuating their tapering

which

tail,

longer than their head and body. They have a Habits

Active throughout the day; females form

gangs with

Breeding

males are often

juveniles;

solitary

sensitive Births occur mainly April to June,

gestation period of about 74 days. at

4 months; sexually mature over 17 years

live

in captivity,

after

Weaned May

at 2 years.

9-15

sniffing

and

particularly

well adapted to

out insects and poking

bits of rotten

among

stones

wood.

Coatis are found

woodland

They

areas.

require vegetation for cover, since they are

mainly active during the day, although adult

Grunts and chittering used to maintain contact with group, also snarls and squeaks;

Diet

flexible.

the

wild

and

which

perhaps

2-7 young born

earlier farther south;

Voice

long, flattish snout,

threatened,

will indicate

alarm by barking

Woodland

invertebrates (such as earthworms,

millipedes,

and

snails);

frogs

and

lizards

males can also be active after dark. At night they sleep curled up

climbers, using their

tail

rotate their ankles

the trees. They are good to balance,

and can

180 degrees, enabling them

caught with forepaws; adult males tend to prey on large rodents, very fond of

Habitat

to descend trees headfirst.

fruit

Woodlands

Fruit-Loving Carnivores Distribution Colombia south to Argentina and Uruguay

Ringtailed coatis generally travel about 1,600 to

Status

Population abundant Generally

common

and widespread

2,200 yards (1,500 to 2,000 m) each day search of their favorite food

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

fruit.

not available, they forage the forest thrusting their snouts

among

When

floor,

the leaf

litter in

search of invertebrates, such as millipedes,

earthworms, termites,

snails,

and

tarantulas.

Coatis are the most sociable of the raccoon family.

Females and juvenile males gather

bands of up to 20

individuals.

However, males

over two years old are normally

solitary,

except

during the breeding season, and are usually

excluded aggressively from bands by the adult females. originally

SEE ALSO

(

ommon

1:22,

In fact,

they are so isolated that

thought there were two kinds of

Mongoose, Dwarf 1:106, Mongoose, Banded 1:110

was

animal

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the

coati,

which

lived in

the coatimundi, which led a solitary

place once a year during

life.

The bonds between females are strong,

and

young, not

just their

own

group to construct

or those closely

The juveniles are well cared

related to them.

two- to four-week period.

Pregnant females separate from the

band members help take care of the

all

â&#x201E;˘

Mating takes

groups, and

for,

a tree nest,

may

do not share food, the bands forage together

infants.

so females can watch over and defend the

days and leave the nest at

young. Band members

their

groom each

other,

parasites

climb up to the nest to assist

from each other's fur and gently

The young open

mother and the

using their long claws as combs, picking

nursing the

five

rest of

weeks

Numbers peaked

coati, its

range

the 1950s

and have since declined. Coatis are now scarce

Bonding Sessions In

the breeding season adult males are accepted

into bands, but

behave submissively toward

few days

allowing

young.

them

after the

young

become

What sounds

familiar with their

gesture

males do not

actually a defense

mechanism.

identify with their

young, they may attempt to

kill

and eat them

when

they

at other times of the year

become more

carnivorous.

Mexico.

seems more

threatened by habitat

disruption. Coatis are generally tolerated

because they

are born,

like a friendly

Farther south, the ringtailed coati secure, although

females. Males are also permitted into the band for a

the United States and declining

rarely

Coatis can be practice

reduction

show

do any harm

made

to livestock.

into pets,

although the

discouraged to prevent further in

Ringtailed coatis are

climbers

and nest

and sleep

in trees.

They

adopt two techniques for

her group.

white-nosed

ÂŠ

good

to join

Central America and extended

north to Arizona.

nibbling with their teeth.

their eyes after

similar species, the

lives in

give

young. Sometimes another female

birth to their

even after they leave the nest. Although coatis

will

where they

climbing, either

ascending hand-over-

hand or galloping up wide trunks with forefeet

and hind

feet clutching

the bark.

they

the ground

move through

forest at a

the

walk or

gallop, holding their tail

upright, except for the slightly

drooping

tip.

wild populations. Captive coatis

high levels of intelligence, often causing

trouble for zookeepers by unscrewing lamps

and hoarding screws and bulbs as playthings.

SMALL CARNIVORES

Red Fdnda The red panda

Ailurus fulgens

a puzzling

many features of

creature, sharing

Common name Scientific

Family

Red panda

name A

(lesser

raccoons, bears,

panda)

jrus fulgens

famous

its

cousin, the giant panda.

Procyonidae (sometimes considered a

member

of the bear family, Ursidae)

T-ere has been

Order

and

much

among

debate

zoologists

Carnivora

about whether both panda species belong Length head/body 20-24 tail

12-20

engtT

(50-60 cm);

(30-51 cm); height at

shoulder about 10-12

Weight 6-13 b 3-6

the bear ramily (Ursidae), the raccoon family, 'Procyonidae), or

(25-30 cm)

Ailuridae.

Key features /ague

darker on

DNA

red

One

mature

Voice

Norma

Diet

Bamboo

trees

and feeds there n spring

and summer

Weaned at 4 months; sexually 8 months. May live for 7 years in

8-14

the wild

forests,

conifer, often

and

Mountains

the trees.

the mixed forests that

slopes of the Himalaya

at altitudes of

between 6,500 and

5,750 feet (2,000 and 4,800 m) above sea It

gets very cold at night, and the pandas

have long, dense fur to help keep them warm.

Thumblike Structure

both deciduous and

on steep slopes

Myanmar

and

and small mammals

Distribution Himalayan 'egions of Nepa

and Yunnan

fruit, berries,

live in

grow on the lower

level.

shoots and leaves;

size,

but

pandas are more arboreal than raccoons,

Red pandas

y silent

Temperate

(genetic

appearance are those of a raccoon. However,

spending most o i their time up

days.

flowers; birds, eggs,

Laos.

at night

June) after gestation period of

captivity,

belly; tail

young born

to 4

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the

distinctly bearlike,

Arboreal and nocturnal, spends most of day

114-145

Like the giant panda, the red

Bhutan, India,

(Burma), and China (Sichuan

additional "thumb."

One

panda has an

of the small bones in

the wrist (called the radial sesamoid) has

Provinces)

become enlarged Status

the animal's general shape,

'peaks

Habitat

molecular structure)

banded chestnut and cream, face has cream and white "maskâ&#x20AC;?

sleeping

Breeding

The red panda's

own

raccoor ke animal the size of a

;arge domestic cat. bright chestnut-colored fur.

Habits

whether they should be

classified in a family of their

kg)

Population unknown, but unlikely to exceed a few thousand, IUCN Endangered, CITES

structure against

to provide a thumblike

which the

five true digits

can

grip

and hold food. The pandas are

also able to

hold onto the branches of trees with ease.

Although they are quite average domestic

cat, red

climbers: Their grip

scamper down falling off. Yet

large, bigger

than an

pandas are excellent

so strong that they can

tree trunks headfirst without

when

they walk on the ground,

they tend to have a waddling gait caused by their front legs

being angled inward

Nevertheless, they can travel quite fast by

bounding along, but when frightened, they seek safety by climbing trees.

SEE ALSO

2:32

Pa-d^ Giant 2:98

will

RACCOONS

sim

PA'.:-

Ree pandas also

lar see.

have a general

stow

metabolism which helps conserve enemv Un ve the giant

oa"ca the restreted to

core

a et s not

bamboo.

eaves flowers

T**ey

ete

so eat the

and bark of

roots

other p ants, and "a.e pee" kno.vn to

co"s â&#x20AC;&#x17E;'"e ~ung

Occasional

;

a-c eat ,c ous sma a r

and w

also take b ds

the.

Âťv

catch

indue no

'^a s :

eggs or

'sects,

nestlings.

Meverthe.ess although the, belong *o a

cam vorous group not norma

of mammal's,

hunt an

pandas do

red'

~"ev behave as

flooc

rial

inefficient herbivores iinstead.

Red pandas mate ea

me and

n the

the young are bom' about four and a half

months

later

A female gues

ole or nock crev ce to a

birth

sma fam

four cubs. She looks ah:er continuously for about a

n a tree

them

week

up to

moire or less After that she

spends increasing y ong periods away from the nest to feed herself Put returns regularly to suckle and

dean her

babies. After three

months

the young cubs ane ready to leave the den They

go out each

night, staying

mother, earning the I,

dose to

their

way around and how

find food. They usually disperse before the

breeding season arrives again,

the mother wi

they

drive he' youngsters

not,

away

Warning Displays Pandas have evolved from carnivorous (meat-eating) ancestors. However,

they are mainly vegetarian and eat relatively little

@ Deforestation croc

s~ throughout

the

r.e' efforts are nov,

ce ~g -see fo conserve

~ forests,

system'

is still

- di

cere fit the spedes.

basically that

a simple stomach' plant-eating

red penes s range

nounta

animal food. Yet the panda

of a carnivore, with

mammals have

Most

very long intestines

maximum

digestive

needed to cope with fibrous plant

food. Therefore

much

what the panda

of the nutritional benefit

eats

their inefficient digestion lot

digestive

a short intestine.

order to provide the

efficiency

and

more than

Red pandas

ive solitary

meet, they engage displays. Actions

ves;

and when the, oo

a variety of raccoon

undude arching

their

bacs

threatening manner, shaking their head, and

snapping their jaws shut. Sometimes they rear

up on then hind

held high

the

legs with their front

Red pandas face many forest

w paws

air.

difficult es

n the

home. They are sometimes hunted and

frequently get caught in traps intended for

musk

deer. However, the

mam

threat facing red

wasted. Because of

pandas today

pandas have to eat a

habitat as trees are felled for timber

a specialised herbivore of a

the large-scale loss of their

dear space for crops and

and to

livestock.

SMALL CARNIVORES

The Weasel Family Fan

Mustelidae: 6 subfamilies. 26 genera, 66 species

WEASELS, MINK. Mustela 16

AND POLECATS

species, including long-tailed weasel

weasel

nivalis):

(A/f

stoat

species, wolverine (G gulo)

Vormela

species,

species, zorilla

Poecilictis

Poecilogale Galidis

(/.

(

banded weasel

weasel

(

marine otter

(L.

Lutrogale

species,

Amblonyx Aonyx

(P.

common

weasel),

mouse burrows. Mustelids

are small

enough

form the

largest family of carnivores

live in

and occur

naturally

Australia,

and

smaller islands.

What

a Mustelid?

same

many

patagonicus)

other groups of carnivores, but their exact evolutionary history

river otter (L.

somewhat

obscure.

basic ancestors as

Some

zoologists believe

canadensis):

that the skunks are sufficiently different to be classified

felina)

sumatrana ); spot-

maculicollis): Eurasian otter

smooth-coated otter

Cape

2 species.

the least

libyca)

(L.

lutra)

perspicillata)

clawless otter (A. capensis):

their

own

separate family

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Mephitidae.

Most mustelids attack and

their

kill

own

prey on

land, but the various species of otters obtain the majority

species, short-clawed otter (A. cinereus)

Mustelids evolved from the

3 species, including hairy-nosed otter ( L

necked otter

Some, such as the

grison (G. cuja)

4 species, including North American

Lutra

sea otter, are quite large; others,

weasel (also known as the European

some

little

legs.

throughout the world, except Antarctica,

peregusna)

genera, 13 species

Lontra

and short

European polecat

species, African striped weasel (P albinucha)

species, Patagonian

vi son):

striatus)

2 species, grison (G. vittata):

Lyncodon

OTTERS

marbled polecat

species, North African

frenata): least

mustejids are small, fierce animals with

long, thin bodies

putorius)

Gulo

Ictonyx

(A/f.

erminea), black-footed ferret

(A/f

mgripes ), American mink

A/f

8 genera, 24 species

ypically,

of their food (mainly fish) from the water.

Congo

clawless

mustelids, particularly martens

Some

and badgers, are more

otter {A. congicus)

omnivorous, eating a wide variety of Pteronura

Enhydra

species, sea otter (E lutris)

SKUNKS

and

nuts,

other vegetable material, as well as animal food. 1

To deal with such a variety of different foods,

3 genera, 10 species

Mephitis 2

species, striped

skunk

mephitis):

(A/f

hooded skunk

mustelids have a very varied dentition (arrangement of

(M macroura) teeth).

Spilogale 3 species, including western spotted skunk

The badgers and wolverine have the most teeth

(S, gracilis)

(38), including

Conepatus 5 (C.

MARTENS

fruit,

species, giant river otter (P brasiliensis)

species, including

mesoleucus): Andes skunk

(C.

grinding solid food and even bones.

chmga)

species, including pine

marten

(A/f

typically,

the

weasels have only 34 teeth, but they are needle sharp to

2 genera, 9 species

Martes

broad and almost flat-topped molars for

western hog-nosed skunk

marten (M. martes): yellow-throated

stab their prey and tear

to pieces.

The honey badger

flavigula)

has the fewest teeth, with just 32. Eira

species, tayra (ÂŁ barbara)

Mustelids are characteristically smelly creatures.

BADGERS 6 genera, 10 species Mydaus 2 species, teledu (A/f (M Arctonyx

Melogale 4 Metes

Mellivora

Taxidea

stink

badger

hog badger

species, â&#x20AC;˘

specif".,

Skunks are notorious

collaris)

European badger

noney badger

(A/f

badger

(A/f

personata)

smells that are so characteristic of mustelids are produced

meles)

capensis)

Mustelids are typically small, fierce animals with long, thin bodies

American badger (T taxus) legs.

Some,

the least weasel,

Also

when

weasels and stoats smell strongly. The pungent, choking

and short

for the stench they create

defending themselves against attack. Even the small

species, including Indian ferret

,p>-

Palawan

marchei) species,

javanensis),

like the stoat (right),

can be

fairly large,

the smallest carnivore on earth.

American 1:48, Wolverine 1:56, Badger, Honey 1:82

but one,

SMALL CARNIVORES

:ne ana scent glands underneath the base of the

The scent also to

used not only as a deterrent to attackers, but

mark out

territorial

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

family includes

likely

markings than any other group of mammals: the various

skunks, for example. as the least weasel

and

several

and

become

the marbled polecat, and

zorilla,

may

turn white

and even the

sea.

except during the mating season.

solitary

to be hostile. By contrast, the European badger

extended family groups known as

livesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

clans. Several speciesjl

of otter, as well as the spotted skunk, are relatively social

couple of northern species, such stoat,

wide range of

exploit a

Encounters between members of the same species are

However, the

more species with black-and-white

types of badgers, the

Between them, the mustelids

Most are

most other

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are some shade of brown.

Lifestyle

habitats, including forests, deserts,

boundaries.

The majority of mustelids

mammals

tail.

winter,

loose family groups.

animals, living

nocturnal, but

some

Most mustelids

are

are active any time of day or night.

Mustelids have five toes on their front and back feet,

paler with increasing age. All

mustelids have a keen sense of smell. Their hearing

usually with a sharp claw

used to subdue prey or to get a good grip on tree

excellent too, but their visual abilities are probably less

well developed than

many

other

mammal

on each. Sharp claws can be

branches. Borrowers, especially the badgers, have stouter

species.

but blunt claws. The typical slender body of most t

These mostly southerly species

means

that they are lithe

and

agile creatures,

of mustelid share the same body

able to climb well and squeeze through small gaps.

plan as the stoat and least

However, a long, thin shape also means they are

weasel, but tend to have black, not

generally larger: African striped weasel (1); zorilla (2); little

European polecat weasel

(5);

grison

(4);

Patagonian

marbled polecat

(7J;

body

metabolic

heat.

rate,

mammals

(8).

less

at preventing the

Although they have an unusually high

which compensates still

for heat loss by

have to spend a

lot

of time

hunting to acquire sufficient food to fuel their metabolism. Small weasels their

own weight

may need

consume

them indulge

half

prey every day. Mustelids are

therefore always alert for something to eat.

North African

banded weasel

than shorter-bodied

generating more, they

(3);

black-footed ferret (6);

efficient loss of

brown, as the major coloration, or are

mustelids

"surplus"

killing

when

Many

prey animals are

abundant, catching more than they need and hiding the bodies

and

away

a larger

become

for later consumption. Badgers are bigger,

body

loses proportionately less heat.

lethargic in winter, saving energy

short supply. They also feed

They

when food

wider variety of food,

including vegetable materials that take

SEE ALSO

ack Footed 1:46. Mink,

American 1:52, Badger, American 1:76, Badger, European 1:78

The mink and various species of otters

cold water and

live in

so keep themselves

dense, insulating

warm

fur.

with

This has

proved attractive to hunters, and species of otter have

many

suffered heavy losses as a result.

numbers of the

Conversely, large

American mink have been reared

farms

fur

various countries,

making the species

artificially

numerous. Some have escaped

now

and

cause considerable

problems to the not least

mink

native its

local wildlife,

Europe, where the is

being replaced by

American cousin. Other species of mustelid

have suffered a severe reduction in

their

numbers. For instance,

the American black-footed ferret reached the brink of total extinction,

captivity

but has since been successfully bred

and restored to the

wild.

least

16 other

ÂŠ Spot-necked

otters playfully chase a terrapin in the clear waters of

Lake Tanganyika, east-central Africa. Such play reinforces social bonds

and helps young

otters perfect their hunting techniques.

species of mustelid are considered to be seriously

threatened. Gamekeepers and farmers have traditionally mustelids

killed

defense of their livestock,

ÂŠ

Various

members of

with a shell in

its

forepaws

exterminating several species from whole countries. Otters

American mink with

have proved to be highly vulnerable

polecat

out

parts of Europe

agricultural

and

due to the

industrial

pollution, dying

effects of acid rain

and

chemicals on their prey.

However, many species of carnivores are protection, both nationally

and

now

given legal

internationally. Moreover,

people are not as dependent on chickens or sheep for their

main income as they once were and can afford to be tolerant. Predator persecution

no longer

widespread and automatic; and indeed, many species, such as badgers and otters, are very popular.

The European polecat has been domesticated to create the ferrets used

the hunting of rabbits and small game.

few mustelid species are sometimes even kept as pets.

in its

(6);

wolverine following (7).

(1);

least

a rabbit (3);

winter coat

marten with a bird

a scent trail

the weasel family: Indian smooth-coated otter

(5);

weasel dragging a mouse

European badger

pine

(4);

(2);

European

SMALL CARNIVORES

Common name Scientific

name

weasel)

Mustela

Family

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Size

Least Weasel

Least weasel (European

common

nivalis

Th'e world's

Length

Hemisphere. However,

dense undergrowth most of the

length:

1-5

time.

(3-12 cm) Least weasels are solitary, elusive creatures that

Weight

.7-3 oz

are hard to see, partly because they

;48-85 g)

fast

Key features Long,

sleek

and short

brown and

body with short

tail; flat,

legs

narrow head; fur reddish-

summer, with creamy-white neck turns white

belly;

winter

northern

and are gone

easily

be confused with

species of weasel

However, they are

a flash.

more common than people

move

realize.

They can

two other

at least

North America: the long-

populations tailed

Habits

Solitary, territorial

animals; fierce predators;

very active both day

Breeding

to 2

and night

all

weasel (Mustela frenata) and the stoat, or

ermine (Mustela erminea).

year round

At a glance

all

three species look similar,

young born each year after gestation period of 34-37 days. Weaned at 3-4 weeks; females sexually

animal. The long-tailed weasel has distinct dark

mature

facial

live

litters

of 1-9

4 months, males

up to 10 years

in captivity,

8 months. usually

May

under a

but the least weasel

by far the smallest

markings, and both the long-tailed weasel

and the stoat have

bushy black-tipped

longer,

year in the wild tails.

Low

trill

a male

screech

to signal a friendly meeting

and a female;

when

between

Habitat

and

The European variant—the European

common

weasel

loud, harsh chirp or

disturbed or ready to attack

Mainly small rodents, especially mice; also rabbits, lemmings, moles, pikas, birds, fish, lizards,

insects

—was once regarded as

separate species, but

same

the

now

considered to be

species as the least weasel.

World's Smallest Carnivore

Almost anywhere providing suitable cover

Barely longer than a

rat,

and access to rodents, including meadows,

smallest carnivore

the world and the smallest

farmlands, prairies, marshes, and woodlands

of Distribution Northern Hemisphere: Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Japan,

northern U.S., northern

all

the mustelids.

Population abundant

One

of the

numerous small carnivores

the least weasel

the

has a long, sleek body

with short legs and a short

and narrow with

Europe, and Russia

Status

tail. Its

large black eyes

head

flat

and

prominent, rounded ears. During the

summer

months weasels have

a reddish-brown coat with

a creamy-white patch

on the neck and

early

fall

winter coat.

belly. In

replaced by a lighter-colored In

some northern weasel

populations, particularly

colder climates, the

coat turns completely white

winter.

The white

color gives the animals natural camouflage

against the

snow and

helps

them avoid

detection by predators.

Weasels have acute senses of

and hearing, and often stand on to scan their surroundings.

SEE ALSO

an elusive creature that

it is

hardly ever seen, remaining well hidden in

(17-25 cm); tail

smallest carnivore, the least weasel

abundant throughout a wide area of the Northern

head/body:

7-10

M us tela nivalis

•t

1:40,

Lemming, Norway 7:9

sight, smell,

their hind legs

They are incredibly

WEASELS

LEAST WEASEL

quick and agile, and often dart around erratically or

bound along with

arched and their

their

backs

held straight out or

tails

pointing slightly upward. They have five clawed

toes on each foot, which they use to grab their prey and to climb trees. Their climbing ability

enables them to reach birds' nests, where they

can consume both eggs and chicks. They are also strong

swimmers. Weasels are powerful

animals for their size and are capable of

running 300 yards (275 m) while carrying a large

mouse

their

mouth!

Huge Appetites Weasels are so small and dynamic and have such a fast metabolic rate that

must eat almost

survive, they

weight

order to

half their

food each day. This means that they

must catch about two mice or one day lot

body

just to stay alive.

fat vole per

a result, they

spend

of time hunting, although they frequently

take short rests

one of

their dens.

Weasels are specialized predators of small rodents, but will also take birds, lizards, insects

whenever the opportunity

long, sleek

into the smallest crevices

and hunting rodents down

its

the weasel's head

body.

the rest of

arises. Their

body means that weasels are well

adapted to squeezing

In fact,

and

can squeeze

its

body

will

their

own

burrows.

the widest part of

its

head

into a hole,

follow without getting

stuck. Access to such tunnels provides weasels

with shelter from predators and also allows

them all

to hunt at any time of the day or night,

year round. They do not hibernate and can

hunt even under deep snow.

Weasels are renowned for being killers.

They catch small

prey,

efficient

which they

kill

with a few swift bites to the back of the neck. If

they encounter their prey head-on

tunnel, they

kill

with a crushing bite to the

windpipe. Weasels also hunt larger prey, which

ÂŠ Weasels have extremely acute senses of hearing,

and

smell.

They

will often

sight,

stand on their hind

legs to scan their surroundings.

SMALL CARNIVORES

they stalk quietly and then pounce on the victim's

back for a

the base of the

series of precision bites to

Males, which are often

skull.

twice the size of females, are more

hunt larger

likely to

while the females mostly look

prey,

for small rodents.

The weasel's mode of killing

whatever

whenever

can,

survival involves

can. Faced

with an abundance of mice, the voracious

weasel follows the only pattern will

knows and

more than

kill

any one time.

can eat

sometimes

stores surplus food for future

meals its

a side

chamber

den. Weasels are extremely

and can

versatile

wherever there shelter

them

live in

They use

log.

Weasels

live in a

variety of habitats,

including thickets

and

woodlands, as long as there

piles,

mountainous

junk heaps, abandoned

and burrows dug by mice, ground

buildings,

squirrels, or

may

rock

do not normally

They usually make

regions. in

and open

wetland areas, sandy

deserts, or

dens

for

to reproduce

country, but

their

suitable

forested, bushy,

a rotten

live

and enough food

successfully.

A weasel by

off

chipmunks.

chambers with grass or

nest

line their

sometimes the

fur

colder climates they

and feathers of

prey.

good supply of

suitable prey.

No Time

to Lose

Weasels only have a short reproduce frequently and

life

span, but they

prolifically.

food

supplies are high, weasels are able to take

advantage of the favorable conditions, and

diligently for her

female weasels can have up to two

By seven to eight weeks the cubs begin to

year.

The weasels usually breed from

spring to late

about as

litters

few

five

litter

size

accompany

early

summer, and the pregnancy

weeks. The

per

lasts

may range from

one or two young to as many as 20,

depending on food average of four to

supplies, although

six is

their

the

same

deaf.

They only open

eyes after 30 days. The mother cares

SEE ALSO

all

Arctic 2:70, Bear Family,

home

The 2:82

ranges

active

male

to conserving heat.

comes

WEASELS

C HH3

-MHH

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SMALL CARNIVORES

Mas tela putorius Common name Scientific

Po^cat

name

Du tori us Family

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Size

Length head/body:

12-18 tail

Polecats were persecuted relentlessly in the past as a means of protecting gamebirds and chicken houses

Vfusre/a

from

expanding

length:

5-6

Weight

female

nobility in

1-3

reputation for being bloodthirsty

lb (0.5-1 .4 kg)

were therefore believed to be in

summer, but

winter; bold, dark

mask pattern

on face throughout the year Mainly nocturnal;

solitary;

One

litter

young born about June mature

forages along the

Voice

Diet

after gestation period 1

the wild

May squeak and is

hiss occasionally, but sound not used for social communication

Mainly rabbits and voles; also birds, frogs, occasionally eels caught

whatever

wet

most abundant and

Later, large

and many thousands were

grass;

killed.

numbers were trapped by

gamekeepers, especially

Weaned at month; sexually year. May live up to 14 years

captivity, 5 in

a threat to

England they were declared vermin by Queen

per year of 3-7 (can be up to 12)

of 42 days.

and

killers

livestock, especially chickens. In 16th-century

Elizabeth

ground; occasionally climbs

Breeding

medieval times. They also had a

with a long,

cat,

sinuous body; almost black pale cream

fur,

which was highly prized by the European

Key features Resembles short-legged

Habits

areas.

Polecats were often trapped for their fine

generally larger than

many

(30-46 cm);

(12-14 cm). Male

predation. However, present populations are

the 19th century.

Polecats are particularly vulnerable to traps, especially the old leghold traps used to catch rabbits.

The traps were often

or gaps

hedges and

polecats dive

set in rabbit holes

walls, exactly

and out searching

where

for prey.

Such traps were sometimes deliberately used to catch polecats, but

many more

polecats were

killed as a result of accidental trapping.

easiest

to catch

Habitat

Young

forestry plantations

and woodland, but mainly on farmland where there is plenty of cover in hedges, walls,

and old buildings

Distribution Western Europe from Britain and Spam east to the Black Sea and Baltic countries

Status

Population abundant Previously eradicated from Scotland and most of England, but now

Respite from Persecution Although polecats were once widespread and abundant, numbers decreased the

World War brought

First

from the

activities of

sharply.

However,

welcome

gamekeepers

reprieve

in Britain

and elsewhere, and soon polecat populations

began

recolonizing, thanks to reduced persecution

to increase.

survived parts of

was

Enough polecats had

remote areas to begin recolonizing

Wales and England, but the species

already extinct in Scotland. Polecats are not

and

much

parasites, but often

affected by diseases

fall

victim to poisoning,

usually as a result of eating poisoned rats.

Modern

many

rat

polecats

poisoning threat

poisons are very powerful, and

live

routine practice Another

comes from road

may be

SEE ALSO

1:44

Dog, Black-Tailed 7:56

South Dakota, but

had died out

WEASELS BLACK-FOOTED

by 1974. -

Black-footed ferrets

commonly

inhabit the

of black-footed ferrets

Wyoming.

was found on

began, but the white-tailed

prairie

(rodents of the squirrel

which they mainly fed were

hit

over part

of the tunnel system as

predator

in residence.

into captivity to

a ranch in

extinction. Their

Detailed studies of the animals

burrows of prairie dogs

family), taking

Meanwhile,

1981 a substantial wild population

few

form an insurance against

numbers slowly

enough

by disease and

wild.

and

some back

Wildlife

into the

Over several years a few hundred were

restored to

the wild.

and

for the United States Fish

themselves caught canine distemper and died left in

built up,

total

by the end of 1991 there were over 300,

dogs on

Service to begin releasing

1987 there were none

had been taken

ferrets

suffered catastrophic losses. The ferrets

out. By

FERRET

Montana and South Dakota. They

began to breed, although rather

slowly; but

many

ferret

and the black-footed

died,

not securely reestablished on the

is still

prairies.

While reintroduced wild populations were

numbers

suffering setbacks,

of black-footed

continued to increase. By

ferrets in captivity

1996 there were more than 400 and today the animals are kept zoos and

in captivity, in

many

wildlife conservation centers.

The black-footed and

legal protection,

now

ferret

enjoys

dogs are no

prairie

longer massacred. The current problem challenging conservationists

that the

entire population of black-footed ferrets

comes from only

Wyoming inevitably

few animals removed from

the 1980s. The population has

become

inbred, resulting in limited

breeding success and poor survival of offspring. It

remains to be seen whether the newly

I restored populations â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

this

manage

will

overcome

problem and increase to form a viable wild

population. Even

they do,

black-footed ferrets

unlikely that

ever again be

will

widespread, because prairie dogs their existence relies

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;on whom

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have long since

disappeared from huge areas of the Midwest.

Widely Dispersed Black-footed ferrets have offspring

litters

up to

six

the spring. The young emerge from

underground

early July, having

when

until

disperse.

Young females often

fall,

Adult males do not

live

stays

the young males

together

the

grown almost

The family

as large as their mother.

raise

stay nearby.

with their family or help

them. Black-footed

ferrets

widely dispersed to avoid too trying to feed off prairie

dogs

need to be

many animals in

any one place.

SMALL CARNIVORES

American Marten

SalnPs

Martes americana

charismatic small forest predator, the American

marten has suffered heavily from the

and

trappers

Common name

activities

also from habitat loss.

Americar

(American pine marten, American sable)

American martens are typically associated with Scientific

name

Martes americana

Family

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Size

northern forests, particularly those dominated

by mature spruce and in

Length head/body: 20-27 length:

7-9

(50-68 cm);

trees.

They also occur

but the most distinctive

forests,

features of their habitat are the complex

mixture of different species, the different ages

Weight 10-44 oz (280-1,250

tail

(18-23 cm)

deciduous

fir

and the presence of glades and

of the trees,

Male

generally at least a third bigger

clearings.

Such habitat generally has abundant

than female

and diverse Key features Slender

cat-sized animal with short legs

and bushy

tail;

fur ranges

from pale brown to

prey.

The martens

using different areas at different times of year,

depending on food

almost black with an orange or yellowish

move around

will

availability.

throat patch

Habits

Breeding

Active throughout the year and also at any

Disappearing Habitats

time of day or night; climbs well

Martens are found across much of North

to 5 (usually 3)

young born once

the spring after gestation period of

Weaned 1

Voice

Diet

live

America from Alaska through the forested parts of

Canada and

States.

7 years

in captivity,

east into the eastern United

silent,

At one time they were also

common

the wild

sometimes makes chuckling

fairly

the southeastern United States.

However, the harvesting of trees and clearing of forests to

Wide

deprived the animals of enormous areas of

variety of small animals; also insects,

and seeds

Deciduous and coniferous forests

also Rocky

Mountains and

lustrous fur of the

Sierra

Nevada

Population abundant Widespread but elusive, rare

make way

for farmland

have since

suitable habitat. Moreover, the dense

Distribution From Alaska eastward to eastern Canada;

Status

month.

noises or gives the occasional scream

fruit,

Habitat

Normally

a year

6 weeks; sexually mature at

5-24 months May

at least

and declining

some

places

marten made

target for fur trappers,

easy to catch. As a

and

a prime

and the animals were

result,

martens were

eliminated from the southern part of their natural range

many

and have become quite

rare in

other parts of their range, too.

American martens do not hibernate and are active

throughout the

year.

They hunt mainly on fcv

the ground, although they can also climb well.

They are perfectly capable of swimming, but do not enter the water unless absolutely necessary, preferring to cross streams by

overhanging trees and

way

logs.

American martens have a very varied

and more than 100

SEE ALSO

1:50; Mink,

different types of

American 1:52. Vole, Southern Red-Backed 7:94

diet,

food have

WEASELS AMERICAN MARTEN

substances

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

precisely to deter animals such as

martens. However, the American marten

wholly carnivorous and quantities of fruit

will also

the

fall

eat large

and even

seeds. The indigestible remains of

its

can be seen as chewed fragments

ripe

varied diet

in its

shiny

open

black feces, which are often deposited on tracks

and prominent

mark out

its

not

probably to help

logs,

territory.

Martens are extremely active creatures and

move

can

when

rapidly

they need

They

to.

trot

and bound around, stopping frequently to investigate likely places to find food. their foraging

done

early in the

the evening, although martens

any time of the day or night.

Most

day and

late

may be

active

Delayed Implantation Martens are

territorial,

and each one

lives

alone, except during the breeding season.

male may

live

with a chosen female for a

couple of weeks

time the animals

will

mock

the summer, during which

with several partners

becoming quite result of the loss of to farming

and

rare in places as a its

forest habitat

egg remains

the wall of the uterus and developing

normally. until

mammals such

As a

However, they

will also

result,

food, and the weather

many

fallen log.

They grow

ground

mother. Males

mice

pocket gophers, and even

due to the

common and

fact that such prey

easy to catch

forest clearings.

Martens

and

eat birds

they can catch them and any large-bodied insects,

plenty of

challenging.

the family.

den among

rapidly,

except those that produce evil-tasting

and by

are almost as large as their

will

grow

to at least one-third

bigger than females. The young face few predators and are nimble

the long grass of

will also

boulders, a hollow tree, or the shelter of a

eat mice and

hares. Their preference for voles

less

there

as five babies

The offspring are born

midsummer they

snowshoe

when

average three young, but sometimes

occasionally larger animals, such as chipmunks, squirrels,

the young are not born

the following April,

Litters

as red-backed voles.

fertilized

200 days before implanting

for over

there are as

small

delayed implantation. The

logging.

been reported. Their main prey consists of

only a month, but births

known

itself in is

lasts

The

a season.

midwinter are avoided by a process

dormant

ÂŠ The American marten

and indulge

play together

They mate many times, often

fights.

pregnancy

likely attackers.

time

when

enough

However, winter hard to find

deep snow. Nevertheless, and some martens

live

for

to escape a difficult

mammal

prey under

survival rates are high,

up to

5 years.

SMALL CARNIVORES

Fisher The fisher

Martes pennanti

a large marten.

an opportunistic

It is

predator and one of the few animals that hunts porcupines. However, trapping for the fur trade has

Common name Scientific

name

eradicated

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Fishers are medium-sized

Length head/body: 18.5-29.5

Weight

12-16.5

length

tail

Male 7.7â&#x20AC;&#x201D;1 2

lb (3

(47-75 cm);

5â&#x20AC;&#x201D;5.5

kg), occasionally

(2-2.5 kg)

Key features Cat-sized weasel with short bushy

long,

relatively large,

tail;

head

rounded

long body,

legs,

wedge shaped,

ears; coat

Active any time of day

Breeding

probably

fishers

litter

do not eat

named by American

mature for

year,

10 years

males

settlers

who

fitches or fitch ferrets.

Fishers are

sometimes

because of

their luxuriant fur.

called

American sable

Growls, hissing coughs, or

clicks,

but

which

means they

will

eat any animal they can catch.

few animals

young

trees by

that will eat

makes them popular with can

removing

damage

or even

their bark. Fishers

also eat the flesh of large

dead animals, such as

deer and moose.

Porcupine Hunt

When

hunting porcupines, a fisher travels long

normally silent

distances on familiar routes, inspecting most of Diet

Porcupines,

snowshoe

hares,

and small

the porcupine dens along the way.

rodents; also carrion, birds, eggs, insects, reptiles,

Habitat

Mature

and amphibians; some forest

fruit

and nuts

encounters a porcupine, there

drawn out attack

and swampy woodlands

usually a long,

that can last over half an

hour. Porcupines are usually attacked Distribution Northern

extends south

Status

and Canada, in

ground.

up and

Population unknown, perhaps tens of

thousands Protected

some U

states

one

try to force

the porcupine attack.

The

falls

keep

its

a tree, the fisher will climb it

to the

end of a branch.

to the ground,

its

face.

When

During such charges

which has no protective

quills,

soft,

its

tries

face

spiny

flailing its its

and the

when

exhausted, the fisher

and attacks the

can, the

exposes

attacks repeatedly. Eventually,

SEE ALSO

open

The porcupine

porcupine charges backward,

porcupine

back toward the fisher and

close to a tree trunk.

tail.

fisher circles the porcupine,

attempting to bite

on the

distribution

mountainous regions

porcupines

a branch

attacking

live

the wild

in captivity, similar in

will kill tree

ground.

Fishers are generalized predators,

kill

May

trees.

end of

spring

sexually

They

branches of

which are also known as

352 days (including

at 2 years.

in the

by knocking them off the

foresters, since porcupines

2-4 months; females

They were

fish.

and even hunt

noticed their similarity to European polecats,

trees with ease

an uncertain period of delayed implantation).

Weaned

the wild. Contrary to

alive in

porcupines. Their diet

after gestation period of

Voice

name,

seen

meeting during the mating season; mainly

Fishers are excellent

some of their prey

rarely

They are among th

per year of 1-5 pups born

and are

hours; territorial and mainly solitary, only

One

largest

dark and

short bouts of 2-5

ground dwelling, but climbs

mammals and the

climbers

vanes between sexes, seasons, and individuals

Habits

States.

of the martens. They are shy, elusive creatures

their

(30-42 cm)

to 19.8 lb (9 kg); female 4 4-5.5 lb

and

from many parts of the United

Marxes pennanti

Family

Size

Fisher

face, fisher

the

flips

over

unprotected underbelly.

American 1:48, Porcupine, North American 8:20

All

and

them on the

come together

briefly for

breeding, and the males do not stay to help rear the family.

spring

other prey bite to the

fisher

the

killed

with a quick

back of the neck. The

consumes the porcupine from

liver,

and leaving the

feet,

and

skin, large

bones,

During attacks on

intestines.

porcupines fishers freguently get their body.

quills

They do not seem to

cause serious discomfort, but can be lethal

they puncture a

vital

organ.

Fishers travel fairly long distances

when ),

hunting and use temporary dens for

when

particularly

logs,

trees or

progress

made

brush

piles,

or tree roots,

are rarely used for

more than two

Fishers are territorial and, like

mark

and scent from flank,

hollow

ground burrows, or under snow. They

mustelids,

hollow trees or on rocky

Although blind and helpless

months and

after four

at birth,

own

their

kill

prey

are fully independent by

their first winter.

Threats to Survival Threatened by the fur trade and logging, fishers have been eradicated from many parts of their original range, particularly

coastal parts of the United States. Their

persecution to

still

Because they

most severe

will

the early furs,

but

silky pelts of

the

eat carrion, fishers are

easy to bait and trap. They are legally in

some

still

states. In others

hunted

they are

listed

as threatened

and given protection.

many

also suffering

from the effects of deforestation.

anal, cheek,

abdominal, neck,

also

used to communicate during the breeding

find receptive females.

its

females are particularly valuable.

Many

will travel

continues today. The black,

ranges with urine

when males

was

mid-1900s owing to the fashion for

home

their

along the western

or three days.

and feet glands. Scent marking

season,

they grow guickly. They can

by heavy snowfall. Dens are usually

under

eating the heart, lungs, and

belly,

stuck

are born

nursing dens that are usually well

concealed high ledges.

Young

long distances to

Males and females only

down

of the old-growth forests

make

their nursing

for timber

which they

dens are being cut

and other commercial

Fishers dislike crossing

vulnerable

Fishers are

uses.

open areas and so

the forests they inhabit

broken into small patches.

are

become

SMALL CARNIVORES

American

Mink

Mustela vison

A widespread waterside predator in North America, thi. Amt lean mink has also become established i

Common name Scientific

name

m parts of Europe, American mink

successful but

Mustehdae

Order

Carnivora

American mink are widespread and

Length head/body: 12-18.5 tail

Weight

9-4

5-9

length

lb (0

dark-brown

(30-47 cm);

substantially smaller than otters

(13-23 cm)

9-1 8 kg); female 1-1

darker .8 lb

pencil.

They are

Mainly nocturnal; swims and dives; uses

and smell

lairs

among

tree roots at water's

One

distinctly unpleasant.

Mink are

usually associated with slow-

rivers

and lowland

lakes, preferring

4-6 young born April-May after gestation period of 39-78 days, including a

places

variable period of delayed implantation.

bankside vegetation. Each has a hunting

litter

Hisses

when

lakeshore.

about

threatened;

some

high densities, as

Mostly lowland areas beside

on rockpool

and

Distribution .anada. eastern and most of central U introduced to Europe: in Britain. France, Spain, Ireland, Scandinavia,

common

upland

places they have established

many

mink behave rather

rivers, lakes,

less

colonies along the coast. Here they can reach

mammals, waterside birds and their eggs, also some invertebrates such as beetles and worms, especially along coasts

ponds, also marshland and along seashores

plenty of overhanging

half a mile of riverbank or

may scream

small

Mink are

areas, but in

defiantly in self-defense, but usually silent Fish, frogs,

where there

territory of in

the wild

mile (1.6

km) of

fish,

as three individuals per

coastline. like

Along the seashore

coastal otters, feeding

but also climbing steep grassy

slopes to raid gulls' nests.

cliff

S. Italy,

Lone Rangers

and Iceland

Mink are Status

wet. Their droppings are easily

burrows and

Weaned at 5-6 weeks; sexually mature at 2 years May live for 10 years in captivity, 2-3

Habitat

and much

deposited on rocks and logs at the water's edge

flowing

Diet

when

about the diameter of a

pointed muzzle

for itself

Voice

common

recognized, being black and cylindrical and

short-legged, glossy black or

edge, also rabbit burrows, but does not dig

Breeding

fairly

appearing almost black,

in color,

especially

cat;

proving a

across most of North America. They are

5-0 8 kg)

Key features Resembles

Habits

it is

unwelcome invader

Mustela vison

Family

where

Population abundant Increasing

Europe

active at dusk

and

after dark,

bounding around on land and swimming and diving underwater. They are unsociable

creatures, territory.

and each one tends

Male

territories

to live in

do not

its

own

overlap, but

often include parts of the territories of one or

more females.

spring

out on long journeys

may

travel

There

SEE ALSO

1:58; Ott>

new

mate mink

of the males set

search of females and

widely across the countryside,

helping colonize finding a

some

pair

areas.

still

However, even after

do not

set

families.

bond, and after mating the

an River 1:64,

Otter, Sea 1:72

l t

WEASELS AMERICAN MINK

animals litter

year, usually in April or

each

average

produce only one

apart. Females

live

size

litter

four to

six

May. The

young, although

mink can produce many more. The

captive

two months

babies spend up to

mother's nest, normally

dense tree

their

burrow or among

They are weaned

roots.

about

five

and the family disperses soon

to six weeks,

grow

afterward. The babies

rapidly to reach

adult size before the end of the year and are

capable of breeding the following spring.

Females can

few reach

still

breed at seven years, although the wild, and most mink

this

age

die within the

first

three years of

life.

Dangers Faced Young mink tend

to disperse

away from

mother's

sometimes

traveling

territory,

than 6 miles (10 km) to

live.

new

established a

mink tend to stay

territory,

the

same

patch well, since they are

place,

know

often for several years. They need to

home

search for a place

in their

Once they have

their

constant

danger from gamekeepers, farmers, and trappers.

Thousands are

may drown

killed

each

year.

traps set to catch fish.

other hand, mink have

little

to fear

Others the

from natural

predators and are well able to defend

themselves

attacked by foxes or cats.

Perhaps that

why

they are often active

broad daylight, although their main takes place after dark,

beetles,

activity

prey animals are

be found.

likely to

Mink eat

when

and

fish

birds,

worms, and other

but also take

invertebrates.

Most

of their prey consists of small creatures, but

often mink

will

attack rabbits.

they

In fact,

will

eat almost anything apart from fruit and other plant material.

they spend

less

Mink are such successful hunters than 20 percent of their time

away from the den. The away

are safely tucked

ÂŠ Mink are

rest of

the time they

asleep or grooming their

solitary creatures

and only meet

However, after breeding, they do not set up the female raises the

young

to breed.

families,

and

alone.

SMALL CARNIVORES

produced, ranging from silver-white to cream, as well as the natural dark chocolate-brown.

The mink industry expanded

and

in Britain

Europe during the 1950s, producing more than a quarter of a million skins per year. But the

mink

able to climb and squeeze through

and

small gaps,

many

inevitably

escaped. The

animals often proved adaptable and survived successfully

the wild, despite attempts to

Mink spread widely and within

eradicate them.

30 years occupied most also

of Britain.

found over most of

Iceland,

They were

Norway, and

Sweden. Today they continue to spread eastward

established

now

mainland Europe and are

also

in Ireland.

Invaders of Europe The American mink's extraordinarily successful invasion has

mammals

added another species to the

of Europe, but

accompanied by serious sleek

and

lustrous

old rabbit

The den may be

burrow among rocks or

brushwood, but edge.

fur.

a separate

may

entrance underwater. Each mink several

Mmk

dens at different times of the

use year.

do not hibernate, although they become

significantly less active during winter

months.

spread has been

losses of native

animals. The rare European mink ( Mustela lutreola) has

now become

almost extinct, and

Britain

the water vole has disappeared from

lucrative business,

nearly

90 percent of

and

common. Mink

trade

was once

mink coat was

considered the height

managed

of luxury. However,

offshore

fur has since fallen

in safety,

out of fashion.

Here they have

are

sites

where

was formerly

to reach islands over 2 miles (3

where seabirds had

km)

previously nested

protected by the surrounding water. killed

hundreds of adult birds

and

Mmk

colonies have been wiped out

have a glossy coat that has been highly

chicks, as well as eating the eggs. in

Whole

the space of

few breeding seasons, and

some

prized by the fashion industry. Although wild

only a

mmk

places seabirds have been almost eliminated.

are easy to catch, trappers could not

enough

result, special

especially in

skins to

meet demand. As

When mink

mink farms were established,

Europe Mink were

from America to European

fur

first

farms

Second World War. However,

postwar years

raising

seen as a lucrative animals bred well

mink

the

for the fur trade

was

new moneymaker. The in captivity

and could be fed

cheaply on unwanted animal waste, including bits of

get into parks with captive

cause mayhem,

killing

many

birds.

chicken from the expanding broiler fowl

where there eat.

Gamekeepers regard mink

because they take many gamebird chicks and eggs. However, recent studies suggest that

mink numbers may be recolonize

mink.

rivers,

falling in Britain as otters

perhaps displacing the smaller

the United States mink

seem

breeding even more valuable colored furs were

better balance with nature

Water 7:98

They also

as vermin

problem, so perhaps one day they

Vole,

they

are high densities of juicy trout to

industry Moreover, through careful selective

SEE ALSO

fly),

create havoc on chicken farms and fish farms

the

1920s, but only small numbers were kept until after the

ducks (often pinioned so they cannot

imported

good syvimmers and have

Fur Farming

obtain

fur farm in Estonia.

Breeding mink for the fur

piles of

always close to the water's

may sometimes have

ÂŠA

its

will

less of a

achieve a

Europe, too.

WEASELS AMERICAN MINK

The In

Freedom

Price of

1998 animal

British fur

was an

fur farming

right or

irresponsible act, widely

conservationists

European Mink

wrong,

condemned by

and animal welfare groups. The

mink posed

released

broke into

farms and released thousands of

Whether

mink.

rights supporters

a serious threat to

many

its

other species, and such releases were also cruel

bred

many

captivity for

generations: Like pet

mice or guinea pigs, they were unaccustomed to

the wild. Large numbers were easily

life in

recaptured, since they had no idea

being caught.

Many were were

roads. Others

how

also run over

to avoid

on the

annoyed landowners and gamekeepers. Some mink even found

way

their

similar in

American cousin, but has

white area around

appearance to

upper

lip.

its

European mink prefer to

rather than lakes

Spain, Estonia,

and

coast, but have

into people's houses,

live

now found

only

has disappeared from

about 80 percent of decline.

small areas of France, of the rest of

and the invading

American mink.

notably scarce

and Romania, having been driven out loss

still

beside fast-flowing water

become

Europe by habitat

made

by dogs or shot by

killed

recent times. The species

mink themselves, since they-had been

to the

he native European mink (Mustela lutreola)

its

former range and

Urgent efforts are being

to establish captive-breeding

colonies from which the species might

one day be restored to the

wild.

having been driven by hunger to enter through the cat flap

search of food.

The rare European mink (above) has a white

Fashions have changed, and fur coats are

no longer so much less profitable

demand. Mink farming

today than

patch around

its

upper

lip.

once was, and

animal welfare legislation imposes

many

conditions on the managers

numbers of

of fur farms. Large

businesses have closed leaving fewer

mink

down,

in captivity.

However, populations of wild

American mink to prosper

Europe

and are

likely

contii

to remain

permanently established there.

ÂŠ An American mink returns to a

henhouse

Britain to

feed on hens

killed the

previous night.

Mink have

also

been

responsible for losses to

many

native animals.

f .

SVA„ C~'\\ Oc ES ,

Wolverine A

a ferce and greedy predator. Ruthless

persecution res resulted in

Soe-'rrfK rvame

?ve--ne 3 ,"Cr. sku-k .

iVcl.t-

’jes

a*£ olinc a^cxnd the

ocw

Family

Arctic

Oder

cota conditions sng

As a rcsAt an >ea'

We>gnt 2Z-65

A-Ef

;

Mate

ctse' a-

ma .vw

a-ge oowe^j paws. coat pare» cr *ace

Mabrts

a: *eas:

0*i*

ana

Soi'-a*. creaturc

s*vrt oa'*.

o-g

we:

rrvats

>ov\

covering over 30

woe>

One

fctrcr

c* jC to

Fefcnary-MVct)

wW enough *ood

bom esanor pe-'oo

afte^

The summer

S-'O

arc orowfc wn?- annoyed

he spent out cr

w w grate to We shelter of

some: mes youmeynng jp to 50

A though

SO sses

n a day Often

open tund'a or mountainsides Out come the

*orc$ts

—

myths may

wnter wohennes vVeanec

we'e s only one wolverine n nore wan 200

w oe\ mams

- bates

oe avec replantation

Voter

<e the wolvenne

to *eec sometimes

-£

so^arc mnes 500 so. Breeding

sno\%

afsc playful

werc

too

much

of it the s*xxt-

chasing ang

dtfftcutty

caotunng prey As a result winter

Wet

m we

spent »'»ne'e

Mountainous

‘o'ests

rcatne shelter of con

normally

*er forests

of,

ocx. arcas ana Tunara

a-srexte:: across

nerwem

Eurcoe

Although wolverines normally prey on sma crcaturcs such as Arctic narcs and

lemmmgs,

Wev must mave We most o4 any food

manage

n the

ripe Pe~*es to eat

and many

young mammals and During leaner

mes

they

there are plenty of

fall

experienced

birds that arc easy to k

the

wo verne wl

sometimes attacx animals as arge as oee* and

w»d

sheep, storing surplus food for ate' (The

woher ne$ powerful aws mean

down

animals

much

te-

There arc

can drag

larger

than

to t

more than

wohen ne s tendency has gnen nse tc

ts reputation as

many

foHc tales

tsetf.)

The it

needs

a wanton

about the

cunrung and boodthirsbness of wolverines Rjr

SEE ALSO

2:70. Bear

2 --

—

'»

a<-.

7:9C

'-arc

8 S2

‘

rc s

r>e-~re’ o*

fmmffi iv

«5 ;

e-ges:

me and

It is territorial

oerc-c ts

OeSf

s-a

33Ce3'r '‘aE

aoo/'ist

we same

the sncn% s usualy ess deeo

Waste Not Want Not Ostnbut»on

'ic: w *

m les

they can cope with oeec

eggeo wofvennes nave

Habitat

Arctx: a

number. Wofvennes ~eed

~we* must ,\5ooe'

ana bushy

rue cm

—pawicua-ty D'esators

tend tc be

3->a

mean ws:

nters

brow*' bur

'.axs, tai thict

war -cams

egs

eases of

Amenca and E„-ope The

North

hjge arcas to provoe them

Ke> features

rare.

g~cw stow>> and orey animals s re scarce

plants

becoming quite

oe-S'

3 c

ouh

woh enne has a

nararalh' scarce animal the

re pi tatior as

Com'non nanie

Gulo

sex

home

orvn

WEASELS AOLVER

trappers

comp

a n that t h e an mafs steal :

from

their traps,

and e naeer henfs^en fear that

wolverines

attack the

Wolverines are senstive creatures and eas y disturbed. The remote areas

animals.

Wolverines mate n the

summe and would r

normally give birth after a few weeks However, they avoid producing young process result,

just

known

midw

nter by a

as delayed implantation.

time for the long days and

abundant food supp es of the

about Apr

the babies are not born unt

relatively

Arctic

summer.

The young continue to use the mothers de~ until

May. They stay within her normal

range

until

home

about August. After that they tend

once

accessible.

are shot

sight,

not just

species

seems

likely

Wolverines were at one time found

to rvn

snow without

sinking

in.

much

farther south in Europe than they are today,

even into Germany.

the United States they

used to occur across the whole continent as far south as Arizona and

New

Mexico. Today they

are extinct east of Montana, with a

British

5,000 animals.

widespread

still

Columbia

Scandinavia wolverines have

freeze together

now

and

Siberia,

Canada, about

known about numbers

also for their fur. Their long hairs tend not to

Ruspia

a stronghold with

Little is

few

and Idaho.

in California

t^e intense cold of tne Arctic,

feet allow

to suffer further decline.

because of the damage they might cause, but

The wolverine's broad

woivennes are regarded as threateÂ°ed, and the

and on

which they

The remaining populations of

Wolverines are

The Human Threat

becoming more

lived in safety are

remaining

to disperse, especially the males.

Many wolverines

but

northern

become

rare

and

occur mainly n the remote mountains of

so the pelts are prized by local people for

Norway and Sweden.

trimming the hoods of winter coats.

are

left

n the

whole of

thought tnat only 40

Finland.

SMALL CARNIVORES

European Otter European

popular creatures. However, few

otters are

people have ever seen one or are Common

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Size

Length head/body 24-35 tail

The European otter

length: 14-18.5 in

shoulder about 6

20%

so, since

family

(60-90 cm);

(35-47 cm); height

(15 cm). Male about

and has

a member of the weasel

body with

a typical long, thin

short legs. However, the similarities

much

Otters are large and spend

end

there.

of their time

bigger than female in

Weight 13-37

[

urbanization and pollution.

Family

•HI

likely to

they are becoming increasingly rare as a result of

Scientific

Lutra lutra

water. They are probably

more abundant

(6-17 kg

than people think, but they are very elusive

Key features _ong,

tapenng

long,

wth

creatures. Finding signs of otters

all

feet are

webbed

Usua

bom

mud, but the most

soft

important otter signs are spraints (droppings).

may

during the day

2-3 cubs

easier than

seeing the real thing. Their web-footed tracks are distinctive

land, usually nocturnal, but

come out

dark-brown fur

L ,es alone; swims and dives well but can be act ve

Breeding

light- or

tail;

and

legs

broad, flattened head, small ears, and

small eyes,

Habits

body with short

slender

Evidence of Otters

after gestation period

Otter droppings are smeared onto rocks and

of 2 months; births at any time of year in

western Europe, more seasonal

and

Weaned

east.

mature

captivity,

about 3-4

Voice

Occasional

Diet

Slow-swimming

shrill

the north

live

up to 15 years

the wild

Edges of

rivers

rocky coasts

fish, especially eels,

and

but also

oil.

—

50 years

unpleasant to humans.

hairs,

Declining

extinct in parts of

most

Europe

areas; in

the

meaning that

Otters are riparian species, river

few

places, Ireland

and

western Scotland, for example, they may

live

along the coast, feeding on rockpool

and

the day. different

live,

often

may

among

from grass and twigs, deep

fish

need a secure

which to shelter during

single animal

lairs,

otters

use more than 20

tree roots or

ground Sometimes they make a

otter can travel over

soft

above

couch

a thicket.

6 miles (10 km)

a night

and sometimes uses 50 miles (80 km) of

river in

a year Coastal otters usually have

much

smaller territories, only a mile or so long That

C tter.

which are essential

for keeping the animal

banks, lake edges, and other

place close to water

SEE ALSO

otter

underfur and long guard

crabs Wherever they

bits

droppings of most mustelids, they do not smell

waterside habitats.

last

bones, scales, and

possesses short, dense

Population widespread but scarce, IUCN I.

fish

of crayfish or crabs, for example. Unlike the

they frequent

become

patch of thick

Closer inspection reveals characteristic

of North Africa

has

like a

south

Lanka, Malaysia, Sumatra, and parts

Vulnerable. CITES

only about 2 to 3

itself,

areas

Europe east to China and Japan, also

Status

proportion to the otter

fragments of prey

Distribution From Britain throughout most of western

India, Sri

fresher than others. They are small in

look tarry and black, almost

lakes, often in reed beds;

some

small groups,

inches (6 to 8 cm) long and rather slender. They

whistle, otherwise silent

mussels, shrimps, crabs, and lobsters

Habitat

logs as scent markers, often

with

4 months; sexually

May

year

encan River 1:64,

Otter, Giant River 1:68

well insulated in water.

WEASELS EUROPEAN OTi

perhaps Decause *ood r

^ore abundsr:,

since

oc*'Doo *3" are easier to catch than :he b'gger sh

found

n rivers. _arge r -ers are noi

^ecessar y best for otters and they ofter nunt in

streams and

here and

Otter Conservation

ft is

outaries There

more food

eas;e to catch fish n pools and

nce a population of a scarce species becomes small and thinly dispersed,

it is

highly vulnerable to extinction

population by releasing captive-bred animals

may

and may be

Boosting the

help save a species

sha low streams than n arge bod es of water

That has been attempted

Tne

Beginning n 1983, captive-bred otters were released into

otter's ears are qurte

very acute. Sight

ofsmei sigrt

but rearing

aiso good,

ar d

the sense

mam

senses used

land otters can run at speeds equivalent

to a fast

waikmg

swtm

pace, but in the water they

faster than

adapted for feet *or

kewise very important; Underwater,

and touch are the

car.

smai

life *n

humans. Otters are wel

water. They have

swimming, and the long

tai

webbed forms a

rucder behind The the body twists and turns to allow swift

changes of direction and detatled

expl orator of

underwate r nooks and crannies.

systems to bred,

ft rs

known

population

been

gaps

fill

in Britain

river

the wild otter population. The animals soon

that at least 25 otters

were added to the

local

eastern England The use of captive-bred animals has

criticized

because they have been produced by a limited number

of animals and might be inbred. However,

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;even

inbreeding

tried elsewhere.

all

rare animals nsk

the wild. Restocking with unrelated animals

may

actually he'p reduce the problem. Further support can be given to

otters by providing suitable lying-up sites in the

thickets or

mounds

of earth

and

form of planted

logs at the water's edge.

SMALL CARNIVORES

The

fur

very thick, allowing the otter to

warm and

remain

dry even

water However, as pressure squeezes characteristic

surface.

The

trail

air

freezing-cold

dives, increasing

out of the

water

leaving a

fur,

of bubbles rising to the

insulating effect of the fur

therefore reduced, causing loss of body heat.

That

dive

less

one reason why

shallow water where the water pressure

The

making otters

otters normally only

the fur also creates buoyancy,

air in

hard work to stay underwater, so the

soon get out of breath. Dives are

therefore short, and otters rarely stay

submerged

for

more than about 30

seconds. They also spend less than 20 to 30

minutes get

the water before coming ashore to

warm They

shake their fur

dry,

sometimes

running around with an arched body or in

rolling

the grass.

Versatile Hunters Otters are predators of prey caught

and feed on

wide

the water, including

variety

fish

weighing several pounds, frogs, and crustaceans However, they also catch land

animals such as rabbits and the occasional

They are very

flexible in their

bird.

hunting behavior,

being able to adjust their technique to cope with whatever opportunities arise They

will

nuzzle submerged stones to catch crayfish hiding underneath, grope feel for fish

among

sleeping bird on

its

muddy water

tree roots, or grab a

Most

nest

of their diet

consists of fish seized in the teeth. Shallow

pools are best, because the

fish

cannot

easily

get away, and the otter can breathe every

seconds

Many

dives are unsuccessful, but

few

young animals. Adults cannot spare much

energy for play

effort

and time are better

shallow rockpools the animals might find food

spent searching for food. Adults do not often

every once

meet

three dives. Otters need the

equivalent of about three

-pound (0.5-kg)

fish

per day to satisfy their hunger. Otters normally

alone or

live

and

also

make

a family

a sharp bark, but otherwise they

are not particularly vocal animals. Captive otters play a

lot,

behavior

but play seems to be relatively rare

the wild and usually involves only

SEE ALSO

the wild; and

be a serious

when

fight, especially

they do, there

between

may

rival

males. Fights involve squealing and chasing and

group They occasionally emit a loud whistle

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the

iropean 8:70

sometimes

biting, until

up and runs away they

and

may in

indulge

one

of the animals gives

male and female meet,

vigorous romping on land

the water. Mating takes up to half an

hour and happens either on land or while

swimming. Afterward, the two animals separate

The European

lithe,

otter's

elongated body and

webbed

feet are built for

vigorous swimming. The

long

tail

forms an

effective rudder

and

allows for deft

maneuvers when searching for food.

WEASELS EUROPEAN

make

Otter cubs suckle frequently and

grow

chirruping noises. They

weeks

weight

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the

size at

open. Cubs take

weeks

(0.9 kg)

which the eyes begin to food from about seven

solid

of age, but

little

slowly, taking five

pounds

to reach 2

OTTER

will

be another three

weeks before they venture outside the den months

Otters are three

play.

first start

to swim,

old before they

and the mother may

still

catching over three-quarters of the food for

cubs nearly eight months leave

home when

old.

territory of their

than

five years,

finally

they are about a year old.

New-found independence and many young

The cubs

a very tricky time,

otters die as they search for a

own. Few

otters survive

and probably only one

more 100

reaches 10 years of age.

Chemical Poisoning The main threats to European otters are food shortages and accidents, especially getting run over on the roads.

Some

and drown. Others

fish traps

caught

otters get fall

victim to

insecticides used to protect crops. Toxins build

the animals' bodies,

leaving

them

killing

them

infertile.

Across Europe the effects of industrial pollution

and acid

the food

rain are affecting

supplies of fish on which the otters depend.

Otters are

becoming scarce or even

wide areas as

a result.

However,

extinct over

strict

controls have allowed otters to survive

of western Europe from which they

pollution in

may

parts

slowly

recolonize suitable habitat once the threats

have been removed. Repopulation

and go about

their solitary lives.

not help raise the family

needed by the cubs

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

all

The male does

the support

water, the long guard

provided by their mother.

Otters can breed at any time of the year

where the climate

not too severe and food

always available. Although females can have a litter

every year, nearly half of

only raise a family lasts just

born rising

them probably

alternate years. Gestation

over two months, and the cubs are

a special den, well

above the

flood waters. There are usually

three cubs, but there

may be up

level of

two

five.

Fresh out of the

hairs in

tend to

stick

otter's pelt

together

creating a spiky

appearance.

happening

in Britain,

which

now

already

probably has

otters with a healthier future than almost

any other country

western Europe.

CARNIVORES

Disappearing Otters #

T fa

survey of otter distribution

first

was

in Britain

carried out in

the mid-1950s. The animals were found to be widespread and

common,

despite decades of hunting for sport. Otters

were

even reported on the fringes of London. However, by the 1960s

some

were reporting reduced

surveys

fewer than 6 percent of

sites

and

had signs of

central England

legal protection

Meanwh

still

otters. Otters

However,

egislation alone

full

fall.

now

extinct, proving that protective

not the answer. Research has identified causes of

decline that are potentially

more dangerous

to otters than hunting.

demise coincided with the spread of the introduced

American mink and a massive increase Habitat destruction

riversides, since tree roots

backwaters

and boating.

fishing

another threat, especially the clearance of provide otters with both

which to catch

was the

the otter

were given

the Dutch otter population increased tenfold following

otter's

1970s

inspected over large parts of southern

from 1978, but numbers continued to

egal protection

The

success. By the late

fish.

introduction of

and sheltered

lairs

However, the main problem for

new

agricultural pesticides in the

1960s Tiny amounts washed into ditches and streams, and were taken up by plankton The plankton was eaten by turn

consumed by

fish,

which were

otters.

Long-lived species

are especially vulnerable, since

like otters

adults steadily accumulate the toxic chemicals, but stay alive, giving

sign that anything

long before poisoning

population collapses

Many dangerous

sources

New

the older animals die, since there are too

going.

danger has emerged

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

fish

this

especially eels, thereby

turn results

amount

minute concentrations. Heavy metal

and cadmium)

fewer otters

SEE ALSO

of predators like

SEE ALSO

Ott*

opean

58 Otter, Sea ,

and

for

games

of hide

Beaver, American 7:30

and

seek. In

now

WEASELS NORTH AMERICAN

captivity otters

have been shown to have good

memories and can be trained

to perform tricks

their aquatic

ÂŠ North American

river

body and

river otters are well

life.

They have

feet with

webbed

a long, streamlined toes.

The

fur

with long, glossy guard

dense and

widespread as they once

Long, sensitive whiskers help the otter locate

were and are

now

mostly

prey

murky water, and the

hairs.

small eyes are set

confined to Canada and

high on the head and close to the nose, so the

the northwestern,

otter can look

southeastern,

and Great

Lakes states of the

United States.

around above water while

keeping most of

its

swim by

side.

They have

a top

6 to 7 miles per hour

and

tail

speed of (1

Waterway

Travelers

Otters can have very large

may

use

many

home

ranges and

miles of waterway. Males

generally travel farther than females. The length

home

of a (8 to

range can vary from 5 to 50 miles

80 km), with the

size

depending on

otter living

an area with

plenty of food, for example, will not have to

the water. They

twisting their hind quarters

from side to

feet (18

deep. They can stay submerged for over four

habitat quality.

body submerged.

Otters are very graceful

adapted to

otters are not as

oily,

at least

minutes, but most dives are shallow and brief

such as retrieving objects.

American

km/h) and can dive to

RIVER OTTER

0 to 11

travel as far as

one that

lives

where prey

scarce. Territories of individual animals

overlap,

and the home range of

crosses that of

may

male usually

one or more females.

Within their

territories

have many resting

American

sites

river otters

and dens. Rather

digging their

own

dens,

they usually use holes

female together, or even a group of bachelor males. Groups are temporary, have no apparent

and do not cooperate

leader,

what

hunting or

caught.

Most American

when

they are

two

river otters start to

breed

years old. Receptive females

advertise their condition by markings at scent stations,

two

and the powerful smell may

attract

or three males. Although American river

do not form strong

otters

once

pair bonds,

male has mated, he may drive away other

who come

males

receptive.

part

made by

other animals, such as beavers. They

otherwise use natural shelters such as hollow

even abandoned

will

rearing the offspring. However,

the family group

a stream in

when

months

boathouses. Nursing dens have an underwater

born blind and helpless,

November and May, but

entrance with a tunnel leading to a nesting

but

chamber

and

lined with leaves, grasses, mosses,

bed

hair to provide a soft

for the

young.

fully furred.

They are

April.

usually in

The pups are born

fully furred,

about seven weeks, bjt

the adults.

six

The young are born between

old.

introduced to water at

rejoin

the young are about

Montana. The young are

tree trunks, driftwood piles, or

then leave her and takes no

sometimes fathers have been known to

river otter with

young by

near the female while she

and look

blind

and

March or but

helpless,

miniature versions of

are often reluctant

Scent Marking Otters

other

mark

swimmers and have

their territory using scent. Like

members

dragged

of the weasel family, an otter

has scent glands near

its

anus that produce

Reluctant

Swimmers

Otter milk

very rich,

quickly

it.

and the young grow

They open

weeks and begin

their eyes at

their mother.

onto scent posts throughout

to water by the time they are seven

tree stumps,

usually well

They

prominent stones, or

above the water

marks do not get washed levels after rain.

its territory.

off

line

logs,

so that scent

water

rising

As well as depositing musk,

otters leave spramts (feces),

which provide

messages

for the inquisitive noses of otters

visit later

Scent posts are usually

places

on the

who

obvious

otter's route, including dens,

rolling places, slides,

runways, and haul-outs.

Otters will also scratch up

mounds

soil

and

debris or twist tufts of grass together, marking

them with scent deposits

or spramt.

As well as

defining boundaries, scent marking also signals

when

the otter

probably

its

last

passed through,

its

sex,

and

age, helping avoid potential conflict

with other otters

Although generally

spend time

made up

solitary, otters will

a small group,

which can be

of a mother and her pups, a male and

SEE ALSO

furs

very fashionable. Native hunters could earn

more money by

the

dense and helps protect the animal from

getting cold

and

otter,

ropean 1:58, Otter, North American River 1:64, Otter, Sea 1:72

five

WEASELS GIANT

RIVER OTTER

Giant otters are mainly active during the

daytime and so expose themselves to many

humans with

dangers, particularly from

spears

or guns. Giant otters are also very vocal,

frequently calling to each other using a wide

range of sgueals, barks, and whistles. Their noise draws attention to

them and makes and

easier for hunters to locate

whole family

kill

groups. Another fatal characteristic otters are very curious animals:

around with

their

that giant

They often swim

surroundings

—

to shoot. They will

makes them easy

swim toward

often

heads held high out of the

water to keep an eye on habit that

and

intruders

potentially

dangerous situations to investigate more closely

— again making

and to

easier to shoot

them

others of the group that stay around

kill

what has happened.

to see

A Host

of Threats

As huge areas of the South American forests

were opened up

made

tracks

for logging,

much

new

roads and

easier to reach places that

had otherwise been remote

retreats for the

giant otter. Gold mining has been a problem, too: Large

amounts

of cyanide

and other

poisonous pollutants have been released into the

rivers

where the

otters

Dredging for

live.

gold also makes rivers very muddy, which severely reduces the fish populations

the otters. People still

more is

the

fish

rivers,

needed by

too, removing

of the otter's food supply.

little

wonder

that giant otter

populations collapsed, and soon the species

seemed Trade

to be heading for early extinction.

was banned

1970, but there was

considerable black market

activity,

and skins

were smuggled through countries where law

times as

The giant river otter

of South America

much

the fur trade after processing.

Financial rewards provided a major incentive for

the

and

the 1950s over a

enforcement was

slack.

Nowadays

are not fashionable, so the market richly

rewards hunters for

killing

most sociable of all the

hunters to

otter species—

thousand giant otter skins were exported each

Fortunately, giant otters are

characteristic that has

year from Peru alone. Since otters reproduce

sadly helped decimate

slowly, with only a single litter

populations. is

Nowadays

a rare sight.

kill

otters,

each

year,

no longer

the animals. fairly

numerous

the Pantanal (bordering Brazil and Paraguay)

and

parts of Peru.

Some

breeding rates were not enough to keep up

are relatively secure

with such high levels of

the giant

enjoys

loss.

still

otter skins

river otter

of the best habitats

national parks, full

and today

legal protection.

Short-Clawed Otter -

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WEASELS SHORT-CLAWED OTTER

Fun and Games Young short-clawed

to help

otters are social

and

playful

creatures.

They tumble, play chase and tug-of-

war, slide

down muddy

boisterous.

When

and are generally

hills,

otters are not entertaining

themselves, they bask on rocks, hunt for food, Short-clawed otters are very sociable in

and

live

loose family groups

numbering up 12.

otters, they

many other

spend more time on land than

Short-clawed otters tend not to dig their

own

dens, since they lack strong claws. Instead,

make use

of the

playing games, such as

they usually

chase and tug-of-war.

of other animals or shelter In

areas

where there

is little

The

driving shoals of fish

otters are put

keep any

Short-clawed otters often feed rice paddies.

the

are largely nocturnal.

flooded

farmers because they sometimes uproot young rice plants

while probing

the

mud

for food.

However, they eat huge numbers of crabs, a pest

nee

fields,

it is

likely

they

do more good than harm. Short-clawed otters are

officially

otter species. However,

They can become unpopular with

dense vegetation.

disturbance, short-

on a harness

they catch.

fish

at a lower risk of extinction than

paddies of Malaysia, where there are often

many people around, they

and allowed

work by

abandoned dens

clawed otters are active during the day. rice

into their nets.

which are

water, preferring shallows to deep water.

about

The young enjoy

for a leisurely paddle. Unlike

them

range, such as

deforestation

opens up

some

classed as

some other parts of their

parts of Malaysia,

a serious

river valleys for

problem because

development.

Development means disturbance and often

Short-clawed otters are sociable and easily

food. Increasing use of pesticides

trained. In Southeast Asia fishermen tram otters

pollutants also

since

many

harms the

less

and other

otters, particularly

of their prey species are very

sensitive to pollution.

entanglement

Other threats include

fishing nets

and

fur trapping.

Asian short-clawed otters are part of a

jyyvorldwide captive-breeding program that aims to protect the species from extinction.

program

The

focusing on the best ways

of keeping and breeding

so no

them

more need be

taken from the wild.

SMALL CARNIVORES

Sea Otter

En hydro

lutris

The sea otter was once widespread along the coasts of the North Pacific, but hunting for skins brought the

species to the brink of extinction.

Common name Scientific

name

Enhydra

protection

lutris

Order

Carnivora

Size

Length head/body: 29.5-35

and some successful

Today sea otters are

length:

shoulder:

1—12.5

8-10

(75-90 cm);

(28-32 cm); height

(14-38 kg)

make them

antics

otter with blunt-looking

that turns pale

a popular species to watch.

head

their fur

One pup born each

year

after gestation period of

mature

May

at 3 years;

live for

early

summer

4 months (including

the waves. their

a strand of kelp

their chest. Periodically, they feed

by making short dives of about a minute to the

seabed to look

rabs, sea urchins,

for

and

mollusks. They cannot dive deeply, so they have to stay

in relatively

cannot

last

shallow waters. They also

males at 5-6 years, but do until at least

over 20 years

7 years.

in captivity, similar

the wild

make

long without food and are unable to

long journeys out to sea

crossing large areas of

Voice

Normally

Diet

Crabs, shellfish, sea urchins,

silent

fish,

and other

marine animals

Habitat

—often anchored by

months; females sexually

not breed successfully

over and over

rolling

draped across

up to 8 months delayed implantation). at 5

and

They also spend long periods dozing on

and calm waters;

kelp beds

dives to feed from seabed

Weaned

back at the water's surface, grooming

their

backs on back

their time floating quietly

cream with age; feet

completely webbed; hind feet form flippers Floats

observed, especially

along the California coast, and their playful

They spend most of

Key features Dark-brown

easily

reintroductions.

(20-25 cm)

Weight 30-85

Breeding

now

substantially recovered, thanks to strict international

Mustelidae

Habits

has

Sea otter

Family

tail

Kelp beds and rocky seashores

if it

entails

deep water. However,

northern Pacific from California to Kamchatka

The sea otter

they do sometimes undertake long journeys

possesses the densest

along the coast, sticking close to shore where

coat of any

they can continue to feed along the way.

help keep

and

Generally, sea otters are solitary animals,

Distribution Formerly along coasts across eastern and

(£)

males are

territorial,

competing

probably to avoid

for limited

chilly

warm

the

seas of the North

Pacific.

food resources.

mammal

There are

estimated to be over half

and northern Japan, exterminated over most of

its

range,

now

California, Alaska,

Status

a million hairs per square

reintroduced to coasts of

Oregon, and Washington

Unwitting Conservationists

inch of

Population about 150,000 and growing;

Sea otters are intelligent animals and have

IUCN Endangered; CITES

learned to bite open old drink cans that have

II.

Given

protection in 1911 and probably

full

now

legal

secure

sunk to the bottom of the ocean and provide a hide.

A-

lair in

which a small octopus may

They also eat large numbers of sea

urchins, helping control their

numbers down eat

now

growing

kelp.

numbers. Keeping

important because the urchins If

there are too

many

the kelp beds are unable to flourish and protect the coast from the Pacific tides

result

full

urchins,

do not

force of the

Beach erosion and flooding may

Hence sea

otters are very important

ecologically for maintaining a healthy coastline.

SEE ALSO

Ottfr. Giant River 1:68,

Whale, Killer/Orca 3:62

fur.

WEASELS

SEA OTTER

Densest Fur on Earth Sea otters are probably the smallest

blooded animals that spend water.

all

warm-

their time in the

The coastal seas of the North

Pacific are

very cold: Even far south off California the sea is

and

cool

quickly.

will chill

The sea

mammal's body

needs very

otter therefore

effective insulation to prevent loss of Its

protection

are estimated to

twice as

be more than

found on the

The fur has long, shiny guard keep the water

half a million

otter's

body

larger fur seals.

hairs that help

bay and prevent the underfur

from becoming matted and losing value.

heat.

mammal. There

square inch on the sea

many

body

provided by a thick coat of the

densest fur possessed by any

hairs per

quite

Below the guard

hairs

its

insulation

dense mass of

extremely fine underfur that traps a layer of

air

against the skin and acts as insulation to

prevent heat

loss.

The sea otter

fabulous fur to enable

without becoming

much

its

dependent on

totally it

chilled.

live in

the cold seas

therefore spends

time grooming and caring for

precious coat. That

also

its

why

its

the animal

cannot dive deeply, since the increased water

ÂŠ Sea to the

otters

make

dives

seabed to look

for

prey such as crabs, sea urchins,

and

mollusks.

However, they easily get out of breath, so cannot dive deeply,

and must

stay in shallower waters

along the coast.

SMALL CARNIVORES

pressure at depth squeezes the

causing

fur,

to lose

The trapped

air

buoyant, so

also

insulating properties.

makes the

into the

breath.

from staying

to dive repeatedly until

When

more, the hunter speared

not just valuable to the

200 years

was

also

one of

human

for winter wear.

last

was

miles of coastline. Sea otters have

plenty of incentive to hunt the otters.

one had been

for the early exploration of the

occasionally

them smash open hard

North

During the 18th century Russian

withstand heavy

Prey

navigators expanded their trade

placed on

the otter's stomach

Pacific.

colonized Alaska and

and

what

now

Columbia, as well as the Aleutian

crushed with the stone.

the

British

and Americans joined

skins

and

rapidly

year

British

Islands. Later

Skin Trade were

killed

between 1750 and 1850, with 17,000

skins

shipment made

were bartered with the Chinese

fine porcelain,

Expeditions

for

which could then be taken to

Europe and sold for immense

would stock up with axes and

made

America, then

back to the North

sail

natural

losses.

They do not breed

and produce only one youngster per

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;often not even every

not breed

until

year.

Females do

they are over three years old

first

have a breeding

five years old

baby.

Male sea

mature and may not

territory established until they

Slow breeding meant that sea otter populations could not cope with heavy exploitation,

and the animals soon disappeared

over wide areas. By the early 20th century the

profits.

other useful tools

few

are 10 years old.

1803. Pelts

exchange

every

until

them) and are not adapted to

kill

otters take even longer to

a single

otter.

whales, bears, and bald eagles

(killer

and sometimes can be over

in.

million sea otters

and

along hundreds of

killed

before producing their

Over three-quarters of a

skinned. The

into the sea,

an entire year's wages for a seaman, so there

main reasons

shells.

was

they could be hunted systematically

carry a flat stone to help

back. Sea otters

did not seek safety by dispersing out at sea,

sea

predators

its

where

Since the otters only lived along the coast and

use,

Hunting sea otters and fur seals was one of the

to dive any

the hunter paddled on to find the next

could be sold for the equivalent of

otter's skin

and dragged the

body was then thrown back

into the kayak,

was out

was too exhausted

depths. The otter's fur

making warm coats

swimming

was forced

body

the world's most prized furs for

shellfish while

hunted from canoes

easily

and kayaks. An animal would be chased so

soon gets

were

otters

underwater long enough to reach greater

animal: For over

sea otter feeds on

The

otter rather

a small seal or whale.

trade the tools with local hunters for yet sea otter pelts.

water than would be

out of breath, which prevents

from the

has to expend more energy

swimming down needed by

its

vital air

sea otter had

Europe and North Pacific

and

become exceedingly

been reduced to perhaps fewer than thousand animals

was on the

the whole North

having

rare,

Pacific.

brink of total extinction. Yet

its

range crossed several international borders so

Tool User

giving

legal protection in

one country would

not necessarily help: The animals might be

he sea otter

one of the few animals, apart from apes,

learned to use tools.

armpit and uses

to help

often carries a

its

paws

crushing

calm water, with lift

its

the stone and

against

its

stone tucked into

smash open the hard

mollusks, and sea urchins on which floating

flat

feeds.

prey lying on

hit

that has

shells of the crabs,

The its

its

otter

chest.

lies

its

back,

The animal uses

the prey hard and repeatedly,

chest until the juicy insides are exposed and can

killed illegally in

smuggled out

country, but then

to be sold

was needed was an

international

any marine animal.

The 4:12; Chimpanzee 4:28

What

agreement

1911,

the

first

such

international agreement, the Russians, British

(on behalf of Canada)

total protection for the sea otter

throughout the North

Family,

else.

However, that had never been done before for

agreed to

SEE ALSO

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;

ur Â°P p an 1:78,

insects

and

worms.

their grubs,

wasps, bees, and

addition they will occasionally eat

Badger Honey 1:82, Wolf, Gray 2:54. Coyote 2:58

WEASELS AMERICAN BADGER

plant material, too, particularly

when

the

fall,

they take sunflower seeds, corn, and

coyotes follow badgers while they are hunting, catching rodents that the badger flushes from

ÂŠ An American badger

other grains. They also eat carrion and are

burrows. Coyotes help the badgers find

emerges from

known

burrowing and hunting areas, sometimes

its

den.

Its

powerful shoulders and strong claws

make

exceptionally proficient

to store food

old dens.

Badgers sometimes develop close

new

appearing to encourage them with "chase

me"

and sharing the proceeds of

their

associations with coyotes, tolerating their

play behavior,

presence and even playing, with them. The

joint

hunting

efforts.

at digging.

Plowing the Land Badgers are an important part of their habitat

because they act as miniplows,

literally

the land. Their digging loosens the creates patches

where

soil

shaping

and

different types of plants

can grow, increasing the diversity of prairie species. Their holes are

often used as ready-made

dens by other mammals and as nesting sites by birds such

as burrowing owls.

Badgers have few natural enemies, since they are such ferocious fighters.

Once they

are over a year old

past their vulnerable stage,

probably the greatest threat. run over or die

humans

and

are

Many badgers

are

traps set for fur-bearing

animals. Others are poisoned by bait put

down

to control wolves and coyotes. Badger hair has

been used to make shaving brushes, but on the

whole the animals are not hunted

for their fur.

Tolerated Farmers generally tolerate badgers because they eat large

numbers

venomous can

of rodents

and

will also

kill

snakes. However, badger burrows

damage

crops and are sometimes

hazardous to livestock and machinery. Badgers are one of the few larger

mammals

that are actually increasing their

range

the United States. Because they

treeless habitats, they benefit

logging and other

open up the

human

land.

live

from

activities that

SMALL CARNIVORES

European Badger

Meles meles

Common name

Badgers are

European badger

large, distinctive

Family

Mustelidae

creatures that live in groups of closely related animals called

Order

Carnivora

clans.

name

Scientific

Size

Metes metes

Length head/body: 27.5-31

(70-80 cm);

tail

at shoulder:

(30 cm)

Weight 18-26

Badgers are great diggers and excavate an

(8-12 kg)

Key features Dog-sized animal with coarse

Habits

hair,

grizzled gray

face

belly,

stripes

members of the mustelid family.

length: 5-7 in

(12-19 cm); height 12

extensive burrow system called a

and long, on back and black

labyrinth of perhaps

white with prominent black

Normally

100 yards (90 m) of

tunnels and galleries. Main setts are the

running backward through the eyes

inactive for long periods in winter, but

sett.

there are about 10 entrances leading to a

short legs

headquarters of the social group, which consists

Nocturnal, occupies a clan territory; often

Breeding

They are the most social

of closely related individuals collectively referred

does

not hibernate

to as a clan. Often they have small "outlier"

Usually 1-4 cubs born around February after gestation period of 10-12 months (including

setts

8-10 months delayed at

implantation).

Weaned

about 4 months; sexually mature at 2 May live to be 16 years in captivity, 10

the wild

visited for a

few days

weeks

during the late summer.

Badgers have special adaptations to help

years. in

nearby that a e not occupied continuously

and are only

with digging, notably powerful limbs and big

Voice

Occasional yelps and loud whickering noises

paws, each armed with long, curved claws on

Diet

Almost anything edible found

all

including

acorns,

Habitat

ground

worms, small mammals,

roots, fruit,

and beetles

soils

shoulders and forelimbs are specially modified

on slopes

for

earth. Digging

Status

to China

Population probably at least Generally scarce, even extinct

but increasingly

common

and

done with the broad forepaws,

burrowing

most of Europe from

and Spam eastward

and loose earth belly

Distribution Widespread

The bones and muscles of the

to provide leverage for shifting stones

Woodlands, farmlands, even suburban areas where there is access to food; prefers welldrained

five toes.

level,

scooped backward under the

and kicked away with the hind

feet.

Britain

and Japan

Creature Comforts 1

.5 million. in

some

Underground

areas,

parts of Britain

damp

as well. To

generally cool,

make

the sett

and

may be

comfortable, badgers import large amounts of

bedding -

the form of dry grass, bracken, or

other suitable material. They rake up the grass using their front paws, tuck a bundle between

the forearms and chin, and shuffle backward to the

sett.

Badgers are scrupulously clean animals.

They use a special their

toilet

area outside the sett so

underground nests do not become fouled.

Nevertheless, the bedding gets soggy after a

few months, and badgers

usually clean

out at

the end of winter, leaving a large heap outside.

ALSO

}

WEASELS EUROPEAN BADGER

The badger's

fur

coarse and sparse, but

protects the skin from

damage and does

get clogged with

long claws, and

spend

dirt:

falls

away. Badgers

when

a lot of time scratching

they go

especially to get

above ground each evening, the

not

quick scratch with the

the mess

all

out of their coat. However, the sparse

soil

much

wiry hairs do not provide

insulation, so

instead of having a layer of fluffy underfur close

keep them warm, badgers

to the skin to

accumulate large amounts of under the

insulating layer

fat as

skin. Fat

also useful

drawn on over

as a food reserve that can be

winter. Badgers are not true hibernators, but

they do remain inactive underground during long periods of inclement weather, relying on their fat reserves to tide

them over

until

conditions improve.

and

Social Badgers to the

Solitary groups, but they are not social

live in

same extent

as lions, for example.

do not help each other travel in herds or packs.

spends

practically

ground alone.

all

raise

young or hunt and

Each adult badger its

active periods

therefore

developed than that of many monkeys, but

SEE ALSO

venomous

the honey badger it

which

grabbed

can easily wriggle around

attacker. its

potential ferocity, the

badger generally prefers to mind

teeth,

also very loose fitting, if

will attack

its

1:76. Badger, European 1:78. Jackal. Black-Backed 2:62

honey

own

not entirely

very difficult to

of the world's most relentlessly aggressive

short, sturdy legs with extremely long, strong

claws; fur usually grizzled gray

and has

appearance. However,

15 5-28 5 lb (7-13 kg)

Solidly built

It is

(60-77 cm);

shoulder: 10-12 in (25-30 cm)

Weight

animal

sora capensis

Family

its fearlessness is

(ratel)

unjustified, since the

name Mel

tail

a natural aggressor

larger than itself with remarkable

ferocity However,

Common name Scientific

much

Mellivora capensis

kill.

WEASELS HONEY BADGER

business and areas

seen

rarely

where the species

common.

its

den only

its

relatively

is still

emerges from

and spends much of

the open, even

at night

time digging or sniffing

around for small food items.

Sweet Tooth As

its

common name

badger has

suggests, the honey

sweet tooth and

fond of honey.

tracks

down

particularly

bees' nests

often by teaming up with an unlikely partner, a bird called the African

honey guide. Unlike most

small birds, which stay well

away from

honey badger, the honey guide out the badger, attracting special

Honey guides

call.

its

hungry

actively seeks

attention with a

honey too, and

they especially love the nutrient-rich

wax

honeycombs made by bees

to store

honey and

grubs. However, the bird

not strong enough

to break into a bees' nest on

its

own. Having

discovered a hive, the honey guide

calls for

help.

The honey badger follows the

hive,

breaks

open with

most of the honey.

Its

its

bird to the

and devours

claws,

thick skin protects

from

the stings of angry bees. Meanwhile, the honey

guide gets

its

reward, feeding on the remaining

broken honeycombs, which are scattered and accessible

now

widely

owing to the badger's

destruction xaf the nest. Other creatures also benefit from the

foraging

abilities.

honey badger's strength and The black-backed

example, pounces on rodents and

jackal, for

reptiles

flushed out by the badger. The badger gains no

advantage from association with the

jackal.

The breeding biology of honey badgers

not well known. Animals are sometimes seen traveling

in pairs,

but usually they are

The young are born

spring

solitary.

the north of the

species' range, but breeding appears to

seasonal to

six

much

of Africa. Gestation lasts

months, and the young are cared for

less

up in

secure den lined with dry grass.

B Although honey badgers find most of their food on the ground, they are

known

to scale tall camelthorn acacias in

search of raptor bird chicks.

r SMALL CARNIVORES

Striped

Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

Skunks are one of the few mammals

When

defense.

use chemical

threatened, they squirt a repulsive-

smelling liquid at their attacker Scientific

name

ephitis mephitis

Family

Mustelidae

Order

Carnivora

Size

The striped skunk

Central,

Length head/body: 12.5-18 tail

7-10

length:

shoulder 4

Breeding

(1.5-6 kg)

striped skunks serve the

After a

first

Mainly active at night and at dusk and dawn;

that sees another TKunk will

generally solitary; squirts foul-smelling liquid

dramatic coloring

may swim

necessary

62-66 days

mature

captivity,

fewer than 3

the wild

vegetables,

wooded

Distribution Southern Canada,

ravines;

tail

around the

and

may be

tipped with white, and

ears.

The

on the back vary

stripes

length and width, so that an animal

almost entirely black or white or variations in between. There

town gardens

may appear

many

no difference

patterning between the sexes, and the

and northern

markings do not change with the seasons.

Mexico Status

body with

there are often white spots on the legs and

Forest or field edges, patches of brush, rocky

outcrops, and

The

tail.

garbage Habitat

a hasty

variable, but usually

white stripes that extend from the hood to the

Mainly insects; also small rodents, rabbits, fruit,

make

probably

will

white blaze on the nose, a white hood, and

growls, grunts, and snarls; also churring and short squeals; occasional screech or hiss

eggs, carrion,

that the

associated with a

consist of a predominantly dark

Low

birds,

remember

(including

Weaned at 6-8 weeks; year May live 8-10 years

are a warning signal.

The markings are

retreat.

as the

unpleasant encounter any animal

repugnant smell and

Three to 9 young born May-June after delayed implantation).

Diet

waspâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; they

white stripes on back; white patch and stripe long, bushy tail

threatened;

markings of

same purpose

on head;

gestation period of

Voice

striking black-and-white

Population abundant

Foul-Smelling Spray

A well-known stink.

bad

fact

about skunks

Even their Latin

smell.

The smell

name their

that they

Mephitis means

one

effective

defense mechanism, since skunks are not

fast

runners, vicious fighters, or clever at hiding.

When

a skunk

threatened,

warning display by stamping

warning

body

see

also

Family,

its

into a

raising

forefeet

will first

its tail

give a

and repeatedly

on the ground.

the

not heeded, the animal curves

"C" shape so

The 1:88; Fox, Red 2:64

5 A striped skunk on a log

on a

family of their

in a

own: the Mephitidae.

stripes

sexually

North,

from other mammals that

they are frequently classified

Cat-sized animal, with small head tapering

when

live in

the world. Skunks are

tail

to a bulbous nose; black coat with forked

Habits

skunks

of the

and southern America and do not

sufficiently different

The Key features

common

most

All

occur anywhere else

(32-45 cm);

(17-25 cm); height at (10 cm). Male larger, but in

female has longer

Weight 3-13

the

10 species of skunk.

that

its

can point

its

in a field

rests

flowers. The white

forked stripe that runs

from

its

head

to its

haunches distinguishes it

from other species.

5T =

WEASELS

anus at ire target

.while

PEC

JKH

keeping a dose e.e on

adversary Theskjn*. then squ hs a ye o.vish

its

ffou;l-sme

norm

sera,,

an us

either side o* the

;>e

.tie :

.he

comes th'auc"

mus<

"-e se'=

pouch es or

""uscl; 5'

a n.pple

that car oe a~g:ec to mpiove the s<ur< a

can

im. It

hit a target at a distance

to 6.5 feet 1""

times

«era

S*xrks are able to spra.

and the

quick successor

off

car ether oe a tre .apor or a more

shower

uiiected

spra nq ihemse

scent .vih tre

and do not

es.

.vr

r to ire

sirne

e (0.5

e.es,

temp:

sulfur

•

reread

e .5 ^

gets

5 :

The posturing

"-a sprays r

ffor

on the Menu

Insects Striped

taxes ^p to -tS hours

ng before the an

T. r

iff

and even

causes extreme p it

<m downwind; and

undress

display

bad eggs,

-_"r a"s ca" s^e

the skunk to rep ace the must

anc

scatta' the

ffrorr.

also sulfur oasec

up to

<e the

""as aw oo

peop e oe e.e

as man_,

The mus< contains .cat e

compounds.

crop els ’"le

off

omn

j"<s are

.ores The_. are

opportun Stic ffeece r s. eat rg almost ar /thing that appears .ague

o' the

made up

diet s

About ~0 Perce":

ble.

nsects,

off

such as

grasshoppers crickets oeeTes, pees, ard

wasps.

vr a

Ore

off

their favorite

foods

ch they dig up from the so also feed

on sp

s"a

cers,

is,

s grubs,

Striped skunks

earth worms,

clams, crayfish, frogs, saamaroe’s, snakes,

rds eggs,

sma mammals,

nuts, roots, gra ns,

carrior

berries.

and garbage

Most s

ffooo

ocated by sound or sme

nee the s<un<s distance

T aociuon, the an, ma

.ision

s are

poor n

too slow to chase

fast-mow mg prey, nstead. the. hunt cats, lying in

victim

..a

a act or stai<ing the r

"a.'

Cu.m pee. es ano

grasshoppers by sprung ng on

them with the ' forepa as

Urban Warriors

Females prepare maternity dens

The young are born rban areas provide everything that a

skunk needs.

that there

Human mess means

always plenty of garbage to

feed on, and where there

garbage,

Skunks

They can

and

dig

will also

there are several animals

the color patterns are

birth

patches on the

residence, the smell can be overpowering.

gets too close

likely to

towns.

Any human

be sprayed.

that

dark

Males do not help rear the

skin.

and may even attack or

The three

kill

them, so

kittens are fast-growing: After

six

to eight

old.

about

weeks they can assume the defensive

hunting Skunks are unwelcome

visible as

posture and squirt scent. They are

are

females defend the maternity dens aggressively.

up lawns for grubs.

burrows under buildings;

live in

mid-May and

March.

wrinkled, blind, and almost hairless. Even at

kittens

there are usually rats and mice as well.

weeks and follow the mother on

trips

When

weaned

when

they are about two months

out with their mother, they keep

close behind her

a single-file

trail.

By August

they have reached adult size and are able to

fend for themselves. They

will

be able to breed

the following spring.

They

will

use their long front claws to dig for

ground

as mice, rats, moles,

beehives and

will

eat the inhabitants without

appearing to be affected by the

known

consume the bee

They are

stings.

and probably

larvae

the honey, too. Skunks have a special trick for dealing with poisonous or hairy caterpillars.

Before eating them, they

ground with successfully in

their

the prey on the

roll

forepaws, an

removes the

activity that

irritant hairs

or toxins

the skin. Striped skunks have also been seen

breaking eggs by rolling them between the hind legs with their

forepaws

until

the egg strikes a

stone and cracks open.

Skunk's

Way

of Life

Striped skunks are not social animals. They

come together

to breed

the rest of the year alone or of mothers

home

and

their

spend

spring, but in

made up

groups

young. Females occupy a

range of 0.8 to

square miles

(2 to

sq. km). Their territory will overlap that of

many

other females, but they tend to avoid contact

with each other. The males travel farther

much

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;about 8 square miles (20

cover the

home

ranges of

many

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and

females, as

well as overlapping with other males.

mate with many females

km)

sq.

The males

living in their

SEE ALSO

India,

genera

and banded palm ovets are

h* 2:10. Dog

the Americas

Earn, h

The 2:S0

sma

'Os

manage

Indian civet

speoes

ill

live

and the

drv

open country

common palm

on mountains up

two

civet

to a height of

—the

Some

THE CIVET

Civet Oil

source of civet (or musk)

oil,

a scent

making perfume. The word "civet"

used

actually

most

that issues from the glands of

Indian civets, are the ones used

Genet

industry.

animals,

and

The

oils.

The

a clear,

fluid, collected

and small

oil

and

civet

oil in

dates back at least to the 10th century

was imported from is

Solomon. Civet

Africa by King

believed to have medicinal properties

and has been

and Asian countries Civets

animals.

but East African

export large quantities.

and genets use

for scent marking.

means

still

oil,

their

The process

the most important

communication between these

used to define

territories

generally In

The true

Africa genets occur

and are

particularly

are almost

all

grow

them

are ground dwelling

habitats except desert

in all

living in

or hollow tree.

Some

some

Viverridae. There are three species, secretive animals

found only

even build themselves nests up

females

civet

and genet

otter civets.

They have smaller

body form,

still

tails

good

come together

briefly

a rock crevice, burrow,

may

and

during the breeding

season; but once mating has taken place, they separate,

and the female

raises the

exception to the rule lives in pairs.

young on her own. An

the Madagascan fanaloka, which

The fossa has a catlike head and

retractile

claws for capturing prey

shown here (2)

and the

(1).

Also

are the mongooselike falanouc foxlike

are small,

civet,

Madagascan fanaloka

than other

such as

(3).

civets.

their toes are less

at climbing.

a thick

alone. Males

all

ears, a blunter muzzle, a

the branches.

live

and

of the

forested areas.

Lifestyle

Most species of

fully retractile claws.

members

of the rarest

more compact body, and shorter

species, such as the linsangs,

the trees. Apart

have dark rows of spots

all

coat for the winter. Most species forage and hunt for

food at night and spend the day

and

viverrids.

carnivorous and have

webbed, and they are

cold places they

and

civets are a highly varied

adapted to

While resembling otters

the

almost entirely

There are also some aquatic species of

during the breeding season to attract females.

7,000 feet (2,100 m).

civet takes

or stripes along their bodies. Like the linsangs, the genets

solitary

and by males

Banded

the trees and are generally

more doglike than other

Linsangs are

pungent secretions is

time

from the aquatic genet, they

The development of synthetic substitutes

has reduced the need for civet

less

group, but the majority of

oil

used as a cure for sweating and certain skin conditions.

spend

civets

invertebrate prey.

when

paws. The diet of palm civets largely

mammals. Owston's banded

perfume

b.c.,

its

uses to hold onto branches while

trees at night for invertebrates, small lizards,

has an offensive smell to

The use of

diluted.

(capable

tail

more carnivorous, foraging on the ground and

from captive

humans, but becomes a pleasant scent when purified

The binturong,

consists of fruit, but they also take animal prey.

palm

yellowish-brown mixture of fats

original

which

of grasping),

picking fruit with

the commercial

climbers that use their

species of palm civet, even has a prehensile

scent has a subtle, pleasing smell, but true civet species, such as the African, large Indian,

skillful

semiretractile claws for extra grip.

liquid

viverrids.

both tree- and ground-dwelling species. Palm civets are mainly tree dwelling and are

comes

from the Arabic word zabad for the scented

perfume

and genets are good climbers, but there are

All civets

and genets are probably best known as the

ivets

AND GENET FAMILY

SMALL CAR,M VQK£S

Common Genet

GzieUC

common genet is

The

Ce"r;;j

the only species ofgenetfound

outside Africa Individuals ,vere kept as pets tv the amici'. creeks and Romans before the i

domestic cat

became popular Family

»e"-ade

Order

U-rg— '•*» bocv 6-22 r A 3-5 5 or 3 e^gm T6-2C n

S<ze

-50 err

L -

-8

8-20 cm ’

ces

st" -

uo<

sam

Africa,

sects farming c rc

arc white tip or enger far dovvr spire -rigs

burrg

Act .e

l 're's of ’-4

after

May

w*t

may orgra

ca.

tip

G ore. tar

of Spain with Morocco n

may

aiso

20 years

have oeer*

intentionally

“traduced to Euroce by humans n the

me common

Ages,

islands

were

genets

definite'/

common

Voce

the Saearc

on-

ta*en there ov people

-genets are s&i

found

iim

Europe,

Vx-ra y ”ev<

occurred as ran north as Be-gium and Germany

'.'cst £>.

Kab«tat

silent. but w-ll hiss, growl, purr and "a/ also cough, whine, or scream

'oderts. especially mice also rabbits, izards. fruit, bernes.

semto. -voociand. ^

SCL

300

Creatures of the Night

and nsects

and rocky

areas,

Common

Distnbutxxi E.-ope France and

me berar

Peninsula

and Afnca (except for the Sahara Desert and Congo River Basing •

es* ne.

exua^or abundant

r-e-

UCN

genets are ncctuma

dawn,

dusK.

and most of the n

rest at

some

point

and

dunng

Vulnerable

(

ght. They usually

the hours

mer

rock crevices or burrows

Stand subspecies, Widespread and

being active a:

occasionally be inactive

morning They spend

Alternative

they

same

shelter

the eahy

davs tucked away in

dug by other animais.

may use fee

hoi

ows

square

es 5 sg

femates tend to be

'ange

may

-use

the

day after day for long per-ods

Va-e genets have home ranges 2

darkness

off

sometimes large bracches They often

km n -

much

size

smaller.,

overlap the ranges

off

up to

The ranges of

and a male's several

'em a<es Latnnes and scen-t-mark-ng ytes are used by more than one ndiv<dua soiitary-

pa»rs.

but omy in the southwest. At one time they

Status

’Oday

Wxe

most a regions excect

once connected

qestator

Sectemoer Weanea at 6 montns. sexually /ears.

that

the southern

per-od of 7 ; aays 5 reedng occurs, yearCure, but mainly Apn to Matt and August

'•ture at 2

urn a-

reached southern Europe oy -crossing the

and bridge

I'iu-

.curg oern

found

others,

umps. and svvms well

cJ rpps.

Breeding

~eerrgs with

s.ongo River Basin. The speces

me mgbt arc twi light perccs

soitary out tcierates

Sanara Desert and dense forests of the

'•ave

Habits

cutsde Afnca, the common

ge^et s also the most w-despreac genet m

iVith

3arK crest

species a* ge^et

5-2 kg

*ey features 5ancv c.v

3T mais With

pointed muzzles. As /ve as being the or y

« *

ne-grt at shoudfer

Weight 3-5 b

GE*iE~5 ARE LONG, TWIN CATLIKE

SEE ALSO

1:56

Genets ar?

animated but they sometimes

carticuany

dunng

travel- «i

t^e breeding season

i'»:

SESE'S CC i

'• :

SMALL CARNIVORES

Common Common name Common

palm

Civet

civet (toddy cat)

Scientific

name

Puradoxurus hermaphroditus

Paradoxurus

hermaphroditus

The

Viverridae

Order

Carnivora

Size

Length head/body 16.5-27.5

common palm

eating

fruit

civet is also known as the toddy cat because of its habit of raiding

Family

tail

F&lm

which ferments

(42-70 cm)

16-24

length

plantations in search' of the sweet sap of palm to

make a

mildly alcoholic "toddy/â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

(41-60 cm)

Weight 6-10

The

(2.7-4 5 kg)

down

and base streak

to dark-brown coat with black

back, spots on shoulders, sides,

tail,

face has

on the forehead,

mask

tail tip

of spots

and a

may be white

time

Nocturnal, expert climber, spends

much

2-5 young born mainly between October and December after gestation period Litters of

months Weaned at 6 months; sexually mature at 11-12 months May live up to 25 years in captivity, about 10

civet. Instead,

fallen fruit

Latin

civets

most spends

less

most other species of palm

forages on the ground for

and small animals

only active at

and spends the day curled up

the

name, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus,

scientists is

Diet

Small vertebrates such as mice and lizards,

and

difficult

often confused fruit,

A hermaphrodite

to sex.

The reason why the two sexes are

silent

also insects,

the

common palm

can make a male animal look areas,

may

shelter in

Palm

thatched roofs and pipes Distribution Kashmir. Indian Peninsula, and

female Sri

islands of Hainan (China). Sumatra. Sulawesi, Simeulue. Enggano, Kangean Islands, Java

Palawan

(Philippines),

and many other nearby

like a

female

civets are solitary animals,

will

only tolerate a male

and a

her tree

Lanka to

southeastern China and Malay Peninsula, also

(Indonesia),

civet

that the scent gland, located near the genitals,

and seeds

and wooded

a puzzle to

an animal that has both male and female

genitalia

Normally

Forests

of the

reflects the fact that the species

the wild

Voice

Status

one

branches of a tree or the hollow of a trunk The

of 3

Habitat

time

in trees

Breeding

trees than

night

Habits

palm civet

widespread species of palm

Key features Sandy gray stripes

common

Borneo,

during the breeding season Mating takes place in

June Dominant male palm civets have larqe

territories that

number

overlap the living space of a

of female

islands

palm

civets,

but they

will

generally allow smaller, immature, or elderly

Population abundant. IUCN Vulnerable (subspecies P h hgmcobr A common

males to be present However,

animal

male matures, he

a threat to the

male's right to the females usually determines

keep the

territory

when

which

young

dominant

fight

two males

of the

Dominant males

ranges, covering the

the area

whole area

will

patrol then

at least

once

every five to 10 days

Sowing the Seeds Although they take some animal civets eat a

Java the least

vines

SEE ALSO

zestr-ctcr

2:42

and

skillful

home on

hunter

it is.

the ground as

the trees and have been

known

chickens and sheep, and take small wild

-,"J

of its habitat s ea'j'rq forest areas toe

make up more than

they are generally smarter and

km arc

—l

small to succor?

sec-re zccuacors.

pigs Tr-e native cere

e of 'Madagascar consider

thief,

^not an sight.

mgnt

visit

mating About a week,

the fossa to be a dangerous and ferocious chicken

allow several mates to

later a

and known offenders are o~er

arrive at the tree to

When

and the resident female

local

the forests, they

cecc e spe r d :he

often <eep a

her one at a time for

new female wr

mate with the males there will

leave

hire

going throughout the hours of darkless

Unusual Puberty

because they are frightened of being attacked

Dunng puberty

by a fossa while they are sleeping.

strange stage of sexual development: The

Although fossas

camps

for food, they

occasional!',' "aid

do so very

human often

discreetly,

the female fossa goes through a

becomes

clitoris

large

male

similar to the

reputation as a dangerous animal

greatly

colored underparts

at the

orange

exaggerated, and

will usually flee

first

male

sght of a human. The mating behavior of fossas

different

from that of other vivemds, which usually mate with the one or

two animals

temtones overlapping will

spend

their

several days high

own: A female

a tree,

fossa

dunng

which time a number of males group together beneath

and

call

up to the female She

will

liquid that

It is

not

penis. Also, the

-i

creamy-

become covered

by a bright

known why females go through

side effect of the

and

may

simply be a

hormonal changes that occur

trees vim e

emu's. Fcss85 s/xare characteristics

rats but are i trees.

C3 fch

now

officially listed

homeland through greatest threat to

demo

Endangered by the IUCN. The destruction of

its

wrâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

more ag e

the, are acve fo

and

lemurs,

despite those an

puberty.

The fossa

fossa leaps

between

usuai lv only released by the

this ''masculine" period,

dunng

that have

small

supporting bone and a coven ng of spines

not even waking guard dogs. The fossas is

and develops a

nte<

-v

gent end

capable creatures.

forest clearance poses the

its

survival

SMALL CARNIVORES

The Mongoose Family _

M either

ongooses are extremeK

ear v carnivores, the Miacoidea active

and aa e

terrestrial

What

form to the

similar in

that

sma

live

qroups or alone With the exception of recent

product ons mongooses are

rest-

cted to the Old World

Taste: n Hemisphere, excluding Australasia).

Some

nclud ng the West Indies,

and the Hawaiian

Fiji,

attempts to control loca vermm, such as

rats

Herpestidae 2 subtami es

rounded

and snakes.

ounces <312

pounds

same

nvm

species

Bdeogjle

specie

mongoose

paudnosus)

mongoose

Kludi "g bushy-tai ed

mongoose

lacCsonS

cm) and weighs

inches

002 cm) and weighs

family

closely related to the civet

They are sometimes

family.

classified as the

all

Mongooses

family, the \ iverndae

and genets (B crassrcauda);

differ

Cynktis

mcluc ng Alex.5 nder

mongoose (C

rounded ears that

rarely stick

out above the profile of the

speces dwsrl mongoose

Herpesfes

speces

l»6eo«tTS

s;>\ e-

’

t it»er.

They also

their toes.

differ in their

parvula)

remain on the ground and can be active during either the

mongoose (H ichneumon)]

day or night depending on the species

e ng Egyptian

e’

nocturnal, and solitary Mongooses, however, tend to

social

speces.

behavior Civets and genets are generally tree dwelling,

ata)

long-nosed mongoose iH naso)

fthynchogak

little

alexandri),

owes mongoose {D d’bowsi.ii)

NWogale

civets

that they possess nonretractile claws,

webbing between

soecies yellow "icngoose (C oentc

Dokygjtr

from

>acksoni)

mongoose (C ansorgei1

Angola's

just

largest species, the white-tailed

head, four or five toes on each foot, and Crossarchus

total

OfT.i. 70

species

AtiUx

Their legs

<5 kg).

The mongoose and genet

’

The

g).

body

of about

long, nonretractile claws.

” inches <43

tail

dwarf mongoose, has a

species, the

mongoose measures 40

17 genera, 35 species

MONGOOSES AND MEERKATS

AFRICAN AND ASIAN

a tapering, bushy

and the paws have

length of about

Islands in

and

ears,

to three-quarters the length of the

are short,

are long, thin creatures with a pointed face,

The smallest

been released n other areas of the world,

species have

Mongoose?

Mongooses

They are

mammals

nso goose (R melleri)

and

live in

Some

species are

large family groups.

’s

an mongoose

Mongoose

fur

long, coarse,

and generally brindled

xuhni)

or grizzled (where the individual hairs are colored

Mungoj

Ga >P an mongoose mongoose iM mungo) species

XVieumu

ParacynKtn Surxitj

’

speces spe<

.oivts

re-tailed

\vt

v.eoes

es Selojs mongoose

sgi a ned

back,

{P selous^

mongoose (G species

..sevies

mongoose (G

legs, feet,

elegans.)

mongoose (G

and

tail

the rest of the body.

tasciata), giant-striped

species, such as the

stripes that run

No mongooses have

tail tip

Some

may be

their

spots, but

a different color from

species have different color

forms depending on where they

live.

For

example the

gnanddierf)

wow striped mongoose (M

brown mongoose

slender

decemlmeaTa)

concolor)

mongoose

soil

mss Meerkai

1:100,

southern Africa is

Mongoose Dwarl

less

1:106.

red,

found Such variations

color of the area

making the animals hr

areas a black form

match the

SEE ALS

usually gray to yellowish brown, but

the Kalahari Desert

some

A few

and two Madagascan species have

the length of their body

6 speces

op need

•

along their length)

meerkat and banded mongoose, have bands across

albtcauda)

"leerLal iS suncaTta)

Galfdxtn

MungotKTn

banded differently

mongoose

MALAGASY MONGOOSES G+hdt*

garnbianus)]

and

usually

and may be important

obvious to predators.

Mongoose, Banded 1:110

THE

Some mongoose

mongooseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kenyan

â&#x20AC;&#x17E;

nngtailed

subspecies, sniffing the air in a

mongoose

(5):

Selous'

white- tailed

(1);

(4);

mongoose

mongoose with an egg

mongoose

dwarf mongoose adult

(3);

feeding a beetle to a juvenile

mongoose

FAN' LY

species: bushy-tailed

~ongoose posture

typical

MONGOOSE

narrow-striped

Egyptian

(6);

marsh mongoose

(7);

Mongooses have

(8).

phenomenal

sense of smell, and they mark their territories

with scent. Social species

mark each other help recognize

same way

the

members

of the group.

Scents are produced both by cheek and

communicate the

anal glands. Scents will

individual identity of the marker, as well as its

sex

and breeding condition. A

mongoose's eyesight

also generally good;

and unlike most mammals, which only have partial color vision,

it is

able to see color.

Although mongooses are carnivores, they

will also

fruit.

eat vegetable matter, such as

The canine and

carnassiai teeth (those

adapted

for shearing flesh) are relatively small for a carnivorous

animal, probably

owing to the number of invertebrates

and small animals unnecessary. The

and

generally

the

diet,

mongoose

which make carnassials

skull

more robust than

has a long

facial section

determine where the animals

a genet skull.

where the

Where Mongooses The mongoose family solitary species.

The

mounds

Live is

split

between group-living and

social species also

smaller ones, such as the dwarf

They use safety

numbers

tend to be the

mongoose and meerkat.

soil is

good

mounds. Most species are

are semiaquatic or tree dwelling.

the day, while solitary species are usuai'y nocturnal, using

and

the cover of night as a defense.

chewing wild melons and digging up

general, solitary species tend to inhabit

group-living species,

den

sites rather

species. In

wooded and

forested areas, while social species prefer

open

plains. For

than habitat

Mongooses

but are

They may also eat eggs

small insects to full-size cobras.

between

terrestrial,

opportunist feeders and take a wide variety of prey from

as protection against

habitat varies greatly

The

may depend on the

predators. Group-living species tend to be active during

Mongoose

African grasslands,

alternative to burrows.

presence of mongooses here

some

hard and unsuitable for digging, termite

provide a

availability of

live.

may

fruit.

Species living

communal

dry areas can obtain water by

species, such as the

meerkat, forage

The

smaller,

dwarf mongoose and

groups and tend to feed mainly on

invertebrates, lizards,

are usually solitary

roots.

and small rodents. Larger species

and feed mainly on

larger prey.

SMAJ.L CARNIVORES

Suricata suricatta

A. meerkat sentry

a familiar sight on the southern

African savanna, demonstrating the selfless cooperative behavior of this plucky

and

mongoose

toward members of its own pack.

Common name

Meerkat

tailed

Scientific

name

Family

(suricate,

gray meerkat, slender-

Meerkats are the most sociable

mongoose

meerkat)

family.

breeding pair

Herpestidae

may be

may dominate

Order

Carnivora

Size

Length head/body: 12-18 length 6-12

Weight Key features

3-5

(30-45 cm);

(15-30 cm); height

kg)

Slender, short-legged animal; tan to gray

Social lives in colonies of up to 30, but usually 10-15, animals; sentries posted to

watch Breeding

Two of

for predators while colony

to 5

young born

foraging

rarely aggressive

pack

baby-sitting, tunnel maintenance,

their

meerkat

group members take part

other. All

the various tasks involved

duty.

male and

life,

such as

and sentry

Both females and males without young of

own

will

help guard and provide food for

other meerkats' young.

produce milk even pregnant and

will

Some females

will

they have not been

suckle other females' babies.

after gestation period

years

Weaned at 9-10 weeks; sexually about 12 months. May live 13 up to 10

in captivity,

the wild, but

more commonly 6 Voice

Diet

Insects, scorpions,

trills,

growls, and barks

and grubs; occasionally

small snakes, birds,

and mice

Africa,

Angola, Namibia, South

some

areas

but most

warmer, wetter months. to take adult food

when

they are about three to four weeks old. Toward

reluctant to share food with each other, they will

Population abundant Not threatened, but fallen in

Young meerkats begin

year,

the rest of the group. While adult meerkats are

and southern Botswana

numbers have

Meerkats breed throughout the

the end of weaning the young begin to follow

Dry savanna, open plains, and scrubland

Distribution Southern Africa

Juvenile Followers

births occur during the

variety of chirrups,

lizards,

Status

often give food to juvenile

group, even

will

particular adult

and follow

it.

associate

The adult

quality prey to

its

When

will

follower,

fed, but will also learn

meerkat.

members

they are not their

Each youngster

food from

how

own

itself

of the

offspring.

with a

around, begging

pass on

who to

will

its

best-

not only be

behave as a

the young start following, the

juvenile meerkats

from

earlier litters

confused between begging

for

and

arrivals:

giving food to the

new

may

get

food from adults Adolescent

meerkats have been seen to beg food from an adult only to pass litter,

100

may

75 days.

mature

Habitat

been observed

and group members are

toward each

with broken brown bands on back and sides; black eye rings, ears, and tail tip

Habits

packs,

larger than the

(10 cm)

lb (1.5-2. 3

packs, which

him. However, no distinct

hierarchies have tail

live in

of the

include several breeding pairs. The female of a

Suricata suricatta

shoulder: 4

They

members

SEE ALSO

-varf

1:106,

onto young from the next

or to give food to a youngster, then steal

Mongoose, Banded 1:110

species

MONGOOSES MEERKAT

back again. Meerkat

life is

complicated, but

also highly social.

Meerkats have strong, muscular forelimbs with large claws, which

make them

excellent

diggers. Their long, slender, short-legged bodies

underground

are perfect for traveling inside

tunnels. Although they are quite capable of

digging their

own burrows

(or warrens),

meerkats often share dens with African ground

mongooses.

squirrels or yellow

such cases the

dens are usually dug by the ground

and the meerkats move

squirrels,

Neither species

in later.

appears to object to the presence of the other

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

in fart,

the meerkats ignore the ground

squirrels altogether.

Underground Refuge Meerkat warrens

an area about

typically cover

16 feet (5 m) across and, depending on ground conditions,

may have up

to three levels, with

the deepest tunnels about 10 feet (3 m) below

may have up

the surface. The largest warrens

90 entrances, but about

usual. Within the

5 entrance holes are

warren a

series of

tunnels connects chambers of about 12 inches

(30 cm) across. Meerkats usually stay within

easy reach of a warren, which

their

main

refuge from predators. The temperature

deeper tunnels may vary by only

degree or

two, making the warrens important shelters

from the extreme desert temperatures above ground. Meerkats spend nighttime within their

warrens

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the coldest

the hottest parts of inside too.

The

parts of winter days

summer

territory of a

be up to 6 square miles contain five or

six

and

days are spent

meerkat group may

5 sq. km) and will

warrens, occupied

rotation.

Meerkats spend from a few days to several

months around one warren, moving on when the surrounding food supply has been used up.

A meerkat territory.

(ÂŁ

pack

Marking of

very protective of

its

territories using scent

A male meerkat on guard duty

southern Africa. Sentries are posted

from

the Kalahari Desert,

high places to

watch out for predators while the group

foraging.

101

I c

Leash

een.ers

m.—

3*r an venomous

w»il

v font

oorena source

ner

oe~ sres

roe

—erne*

mongoose

—iiv

~=i

njmans ire _ tee'kars

-owe>e

~s~

e~raz«

arcfer rr

us ..a

rrne *o foraging oe'rra etaors o r

tnrtD

a~?

rnan

rne razK

noaxiaptior o*

skil

rher

tv'iai'-

a so oartcutotk

r.?>

Kers raKe a 0

’etummg rr

numa~ nano

~ e

mre;

re—no

" ee*e*

-ag

*tf >o.-c :,•

-XH.r

n»rwc

oir

_ ce: ~rr~ ~g

noozmn-.

;

anmais such

ooirtt in

can Lore ne hpn s ^01

treed rnp rcscus

5 *2^

tar~g*o*

rrooe -

arc

gnucs

are^cc

ra*.e

xmg

tfrat

~ais me* for—

oar arouna without a

i~.ar« ,nr esaitoisihBd

rr cr<ig out

mer ~er

“xeme'

*0 eaie mg'?-

~»*errc

x rs

pre

~ a» a tar

croup

pao*. cffKr

~ae

groups and

— lXi ir,a~*

~g>r omr-

—a is

Ziti;i

—

.o-rig 'e1 ae:-

rer

mfetar 3ra:»f

n«^

eguTij

•i

sdaatsied

*02

asr

e~'aie5

gox

SEE ALSO

armro-igT'

•

‘

**> **0 110m

a icmg

"na»

: -

*•:

*•

n* tiippn;

rer

mpi

npr

nrr

Df>n;

ax ?

—ca

mint 1'i'nr

a*? n./n?

dm r

n#f, c*e*

oaev-stneri

JUrtriziupt

— *r* aes

—a—

pan

rn ~immj\n dopn; f

oare^

•v*~ rarreerr :

*esidemt

racks

'a“"ag5.

a,rc 'e~ae ~egnca5.

“rr— ir*c ra:«

"ense'ies as

rr -esoabishrig

sememes

-"rr*

r ar

w«i

wmr a group

mwkaes ~riri; meexm

treedre an mas

*e-

o»e*

—

oai*e r*g

-O’

akamoe

p-.t.n: souirmlk

H’ltma

r*H

mem k

mmmxra

«-tnppmpT

"nice Like

03 ge

anc 00 not

food ~ne g’our

s soal rnae in

wil accept

ne e~on

hatf an is

ekceptions,

izan out o4

mav taka

since

o^mg

o’oa’ to

ae soma

t a maerkart gats

gecko n

unroxe T the gecko

o»

pa animats "here

oj"o\^ Arnougn

rr 'm:ro«g ~~er

o*av

-rm: soe

~g osrc ~ag5 anr ra«.ng :r. anc ner *e— site. er re

~2cec .e*

own

sea"*, o* a targe

n?» rare the

and

oaa''kats *aar as a

tot

another anima to dig

roasrc 0

—

o>.r.

racks separate iow~*ankmg

“

or*

hunting together

,a'

noweve’

out pra\ anr ro noid

as sands

r ookng

rne maerkats

o jsruia?

proramon against pnaoarors out

rrrvioas

down

~ongrosas

rur so’ead

ronoa-are

ave'\

anane rnar *ood

a^ea rr

are _:sar rr

nreer roes nor

opre

~e~Or'"

-.1

goug

os appioachsa r a

~e ~esras3ng

rare ne> and a*p=5r

manna*

osro-rap?

ne no

5 sperrer ?'".t ’n:

ran

- wil ~rr.

— er

a'-

so.rres re ne laoensnar ~na r.av\er

othaT sor.a 5 pe*e‘al'«

- a-a"r 'o ragng orte

”nav Lsuahv alow about a weak re'ne

ia-pa-

panes

~ oe's

5.s*er«

roni a —

**>e er-e

ne>’

^i:r

sm-orans anr can withstand sengs

oe_ o

with inre

fond

v-^eeio,

nolens ~g annais ~o~

kil

"ooed to

reza~ne ess savee anr sne was *jlu area or an

Vieaitkars a-e

:©

v-\as

p?-t?n n?vg 5

o~.e"

~mp -anoucr

rrornje nev oie *o severa

genre o*

5 ne

e raov-sore'

speed anr

’>

erraaisner:

Wente-s

jn..ng rreaarrrs

a~e* 'e'STranre up gna<

j~ri

anr rne one *?nae was

ra»<e dirlr.

rak?^ on as

?.s

one '?~aie tolowed

r>-g

:ar4v ra* -^c w'eeo

_ 'a ,ae

snakeis

na~ na-fseues

.ape*

a? arzepre:

r -ne rr

me heir of

its

hour to

worthwhile

MONGOOSES

since geckoes are ’-’e€ riats <v

7>e

smce each

coace''a:e

- a

by a

t s

s.>:~c

rs.

—.me

t\>

<sy an attacker

c'ecatm

dher

ng grout

oesccttec a

seni»y

gnes an alarm

me pack

spots a predator the

call

that ta

the rest of

to run for cower Veerkats ca~-ct

r-e

-v

oe ava

foed ng St farag -g - a grout a

—

a.s

can

nd mare food and

teach e r than an —a

ace

—eerkat oack

for

forag ng a cne.

member o'

a meerkat group

e;<

coses

stroke

t to

3emg

danger

the group but the a

-s

the ns*

-vei

as forac

ts position

a female

tac:<

.'.as

see'

az-c n

a 'group

and havng

mongoose neenatis a

attacks

ndiv 'duals

turns ana sra-e

Meerkats that rema n beh nd bafcy-

aga nst

—as mat

as sra<es

arc

are

so as

me'

mer ta

backs ~a< tg the' "a

grcw-'ing

and

spittirg

ta< a

so protecting teeth

.area

stand

or-

a'cr ng.

end and

<e a cat "the meerkats

oo not work and

defense positian

iVtth

mate themselves oax mare

by *aisng

predator, t wi

predators ana 'eat

s t are

rva

~a<a ~ :c

mom a

observed

defenses Lie the banded

tactics

—

.vn

encounter with predators or other meerkat

a sentry s a cc cere on ze r a- or 1

others

me srace rather mar -epirg -er compen ors -~e r me oac< -ad chased t~ me otruders they turned on me die fomale—seeas a

oc<s or tushes a so

a hght

mpasmg

cable feed ng time

-c ae~:s

—such

By perform -g guard out- a sentry meerkat s

gn ports such

even

cctemta threats

Sentry Duty

*eic

mat during

gangs

sacrificing -a

sentnes meerkats na<e other antipredator

~cvdua ,v

-fewevep such cens/tm s not tolerated n a

sa-e time Therefore are mare

esst~e

tasks, t

cu- shment for ~e r se-'st tens /c*

meerkat scenes ae* ng cut "or

oredators, are

irrgJn

concentrate on -orag ng ana -vatdn for oredators at the

not ea.e to 'set

coulc encourage ar nd vidua to take art- antage

testae n - g- olaaesto ieec n atari ov-gr the forgg

oe'

meerkat team perform such 'se~ ess'

fo-mer mprc'<ed smce guards are

Sc'et- s

the

stca

grauc a* meerkats than by a

-omc

themseses Since nary "erne's of

this atuatiar

graua reduce the danger a-

one meerkat ceng caught

smce

guaranteed a cccc -ea

Farag ng ar

'c and

'EE*

threatened by a

up the dassc mongoose

t -v

mm.', tse or

sensitive

nape of the

and daws faeng

bao

~et>

predator Tne

-eertat "*eoeh'

*~ as .

racy -shlB' i

Z'.rg ar -ail. Weerirats

sra

re -cm soca/

noncocses arc -enters take turns

r re

csdt

«.

cercm ~g

group duties sum

catiy-sittrg arc tur *e

‘era *c=

Cus

o>/e r

:ai

arc "eaC An attack from the sky

Dev‘v

by ar eac e or for cover

away

f a

stare 'g up rrav be placed

*airs

hawk causes

pack

the rree r kats to run

attacked

the open,

their warren, the adults will

memseives over the

juvenile

members

throw of the

oack to protect them. Like banded mongooses, *

member

of the oack

captured the others

launch a rescue attempt.

Nursing Care *

memoe

’

o T the pack

left

may be nursed back

a~ack.

njured after an to health by the

othe r me'~'oe rs. A femaie meerkat that had

peer caught and njured by an eagle was

oemg surrounded

observed

by ner pack and

-e'oed back to the warren The female had

produced a

and was

tter of kittens

eft with

them

the burrow while the

pack went to forage She was fed

"est of the

-v’n grubs by the other

and was

a few days earlier

memoers

of her pack

also helped to stand upright during

me mommg

sunbathing session Thanks to the

s^ooort of the group both the female and her

"er survived invalid care

only performed for

adui* meerkats since the loss of a baby

damagmg

to the

group than that of an

J neerlrar grouo basks n Vfe*?nrjts ree<; *c

me ^aming

sunoame earn iay

less

adult.

sunshine.

keec memse/ves

correct ootfy temperature.

Sun Worshipping Along

with underground dens and group

nesting, sunbathing plays an important part in

*eeomg meerkats

When mey

a: their correct

leave the burrow,

body temperature

members

sit

or stand

an upngh * position with their stomachs facing the sur

They may then

backs or spread

down and bask on

th emselves over rocks to

their

absorb

heat Dur ng the hottest part of the day, however.

104

SEE ALSO

1 2: ?

SK'AA.

CARV.CRES

Dwarf

Mongoose The

tiny'dwarf mongoose

and

scurries

around

He legale par.ula

resembles a short- legged cat

groups seeking small prev.

specializes in eating the large insects

invertebrates that are so

MONGOOSES

tne

mongoose

- :S

abundant

wh ch

"ore vulnerable

size aiso

to predators

than the they

groups Living n a group means

- 4

sma

means they

wry

speoes arc s ore reason

a e

3'ge r

ive

the re

are

one mongoose

pac< The dominant

mae

numoer

He. a'org with a

watch

msehes or a

the

log.

Dwar* mcrgccses

are

cm rent rc

themsefres against predators. They are

mow’'

o'.er

to srte tretr

near pee or *aso

the

vg ant

extremely

^crgooses sun

many

ecuced by the

to keec

dwarf

acect a:

presence of cither. Uke the ^eer<at. dwarf

mongooses oost guards

pair of

'arge

of eyes to watch for oanger and the nsk

to ar_,

of Africa.

a~-e

arger scenes a r e unable to do

However the r sma

in parts

allows tre^ to enter the tunnels o* ’'Oder's,

and other

SMALLEST rr’e ''"Cer5 of

’a~'

aers

n ests.

which outs off potential attackers.

of immature ma:es,

often be seen keeping watch over the pack

from a hign vantage point. such as the top of a b<g rock or high

a bush

Pack Hierarchy Dwarf mongoose packs have a

stnct hierarchy

with only one dominant breeding

The

pai'

dominant femae or "matriarch" leads the pack,

and only she A. though

ao<e to produce

other fema es

young

the pack

may mate,

they ether do not apcear to

become pregnant,

or ther fetuses abort,

young are born oead.

suoordmate females

hep

stii

they

such cases the

produce milk and win

suckle the matnarch's

members

are involved

ang caring

for the

give birth, ther

young

m grooming,

young when the

oack

baby-srtting. rest of

group s out foraging After the dominant

wh ch

are usually the oldest

pack, the youngest

highest

rank

ran*

members

the pair,

of the

are the next

any age group the females

more ngnry than the males '

106

SEE ALSO

MONGOOSES DWARF MONGOOSE

Group Hunting

dwarf mongooses can spend more time looking

Dwarf mongooses also forage as

a group.

Because they hunt prey by chasing and

pouncing and not by

stalking, they

individual

do not

not hampered by the presence

of others. Foraging

group also provides

protection against predators. The dwarf

mongoose has developed to keep

wide

group movements, and warn against danger.

Dwarf mongooses have taken group feeding a step further than

for the

many

other species,

When

there are a

source, a dwarf of

its

lot

hornbills' presence.

of hornbills at the food

own members on is

the hornbills arrive

guard at

air

vents,

of hornbill, such as the yellow-billed, red-billed,

rise

among

The

birds feed

the packs on insects disturbed

by foraging mongooses and

keep watch for predators.

The

birds

are particularly effective at

spotting attacks

from the

When

air.

they see a

predator, they fly

up into the

mongooses

calls

and

trees. Their actions alert

to the danger so they can

their escape.

predator

make warning

The

hornbills

too small to be a

the

make

even cat when a

risk

to themselves.

ch additional curve lance means that the

their den, they

and the mongooses

appear almost immediately.

hornbills.

the morning before the

often forming partnerships with several species

and von der Decken's

for

mutually beneficial:

mongooses have emerged from the

all.

some competition

food, the arrangement

down

get

mongoose pack may have none

Although there

call

for

particularly important

mongoose guards who might not

enough food without the

variety of calls

contact with others, coordinate

and eating rather than watching

danger. The relationship

require stealth, so the foraging success of any

one

for food

the

mongooses

before the hornbills arrive, they

will

the hornbills before they start foraging.

wait for

SMALL CARNIVORES

Indian Gray

Mongoose

Herpes tes edwardsii

Mongooses have a reputation as snake

Common name

killers that is well deserved, but the Indian gray mongoose, like most predators, generally prefers less

mongoose

common

Family

Order

name

mongoose, common Indian gray mongoose,

(Indian

mongoose,

Scientific

dangerous

Indian gray

The Indian gray mongoose

common

Although

Bengal mongoose)

ground,

Herpes tes edwardsii

Length head/body: 16-18

16-18

(40-45 cm);

(40-45 cm); height

shoulder: up to 8

Weight 2.2-4 Key features Gray

tail

Unlike

good

2-4 young born

nest.

mammals,

about

at 2 years.

8-10

threatened, she

May

another

live

the wild

birds,

and

itself.

species, the Indian gray

and males and

yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the

or thin

West

woodland

islands of

them

alone.

will carry

them

her

mouth

Newborn mongooses have

hair,

a fine

but they are blind for several

to catch their

mongooses

own

trips

for a

few

where she teaches

food. Although

are instinctive foragers

and the the mother's role

Japan

A common

young

kittens are born in a well-hidden

mother on hunting

their

Indies, Hawaii,

Population abundant

their

weeks but then weans them onto adult food. Once weaned, the young mongooses follow

some

and eggs

Ryukyu and Tonaki Status

digs for

The mother suckles her young

days.

lizards;

site.

covering of

Distribution From eastern and central Arabia to Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. Introduced to Malaysia. Mauritius, the

an old

the mother feels her young are

after gestation

Weaned

in captivity,

Open country

occurs at any time of

mothers to care fo r

Mongoose

insects, snakes,

Habitat

den that

climber; hunts during

Angry chatters and chirrups Small

males search for other females, leaving the

period of 60 days.

Diet

active during

females only form pairs for breeding. After

5 lb (1-2 kg)

month, sexually mature

Voice

a solitary animal,

matingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; which

Litters of

some mongoose

to light-brown coat, finely speckled

Solitary; agile;

20 years

mound

mongoose

(20 cm)

the day

Breeding

walls.

with black

Habits

time on the

its

also a skillful climber, able to

the day and spends the night either

Carnivora

length:

an agile animal.

spends most of

ascend trees and scale

Herpestidae

termite

skills

to her

young

passing on her hunting vitally

animal

future survival.

and hunters,

important for their

Once the young mongooses

are

able to hunt for themselves, they will leave their

mother

to find a territory of their

own.

Stealth Tactics

mongooses

Indian

some

are

active killers than

related species, such as the

meerkat or

dwarf and banded mongooses, which mainly forage for small invertebrate prey. The Indian

gray

mongoose

takes a higher proportion of

vertebrate prey, such as

rats, birds,

and

Hunting prey requires a high degree of stealth,

108

SEE ALSO

the

senior female. They busy themselves scratching

the

Diet

110

individual characteristics.

into crevices,

Chirps, twitters,

Status

with dwarf

live

Voice

Congo

Banded mongoose

pair.

Banded mongooses forage

wild

Habitat

has three or

Busy Foragers

4 young born after gestation period of 2 months. Weaned at about 1 month;

snails in

typically

packs of up to 40 members, but

between

sexually

pack

lives in

1 5 and 20; each pack has a dominant male and 3 or 4 breeding females

Breeding

the whole

females. Instead, rank appears to be based on

age and Active only during the day; social: erritorial

family.

social hierarchy, as

back;

usually

the biggest

females do not necessarily outrank males

usually brownish-gray, but color varies with habitat; dark-brown bands across

Habits

large social

lives in

than a single breeding

Key features Coat

feet are dark

fact,

an old termite mound.

four breeding females and several males, rather

than female

They return at night

prey.

Banded mongoose

Family

Size

busy gangs that scurry

live in

around looking for small

Common name

Mungos mungo

will usually

the

a territory at different

two packs

same

turn

night, the

chase off the others.

MONGOOSES BANDED MONGOOSE

Mongoose packs have territory

several

and may use one

months

the group

their

for anything

single night to a couple of

The breeding

dens

from

at a time.

all

at three to four

of the pack

weeks

cycles of females within a

pack are synchronized so that

den

the young are

out foraging. The young leave the

old,

in play.

weeks

old

Once they

the kittens

and are

join the rest

about

five

begin to accompany

will

the adults on foraging expeditions.

born within a few days of each other. This reduces the

risk

to any one. mongoose kitten of

being caught by a predator:

births

were

spread out over a longer period of time,

find refuge in a termite

newborn mongooses one by one. Another

may be one

number of dens

scattered over the pack's territory

the

need

and used when arises.

for predators to pick off the

advantage of simultaneous

births

that

all

for cover

the

reproductive females are producing milk at the

same

time,

and the

any female, not

kittens

may be

just their mother.

suckled by

Hence

mothers are free to go and look for food turn while the

females. Other involved

of the pack are also

caring for the young.

mongoose

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;whose is

to run

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; banded mongooses may club mobbing

together and take part

During such attacks

members

all

bunch

closely together

heads

raised.

The

attacks.

of the pack

and advance with

resulting growling

their

and

snapping mass can give the impression of a

young are nursed by other

members

Numbers

only response to potential predators

would be easy

Unlike the smaller dwarf

ÂŠ Banded mongooses mound.

Safety

adult male

usually remains as a baby-sitter while the rest of

single large animal.

The displays can be so

impressive that they intimidate large dogs and

other predators such as jackals, eagles, and vultures. But

banded mongooses may

also

mob

harmless animals, such as bushbucksand geese, if

they seem to pose a threat.

on the defensive, in

When

pack

bunches up with the young

the center. Protection of fellow group

members may even extend individuals. For

example,

to rescuing captured

when

mongoose was caught by an into a tree to

the pack

banded

eagle and taken

be eaten, a dominant male from

was observed

to climb the tree

force the eagle to release

its

catch.

and

SMALL CARNIVORES

of Species

List

The following

lists all

Gulo

species of

G. gulo Wolverine; circumpolar, in

small carnivores, including their

distribution

America and Eurasia

(Part)

SUBFAMILY PROCYONINAE

Bassariscus

B astutus

Lutrogale

polecat); semiarid regions of Africa

islands; N. Africa

nngtailed

cat);

U.S.

from

-Oregon and Colorado south and throughout Mexico B sumichrasti Cacomistle; C America

Nasua

nanca White-nosed

coati; S.E.

Arizona, Mexico, C. America,

W. Colombia, and Ecuador

Nasuella

Mountain coati, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia Procyon P cancrivorus Crab-eating raccoon; olivacea

Costa Rica to N Argentina P gloveralleni Barbados raccoon; Barbados P msularis Tres Marias raccoon; Maria Madre Island, Mexico

Common raccoon; Canada. US, C America;

lotor

introduced

parts of Europe

M. foina Stone marten (beech or house marten); S. and C. Europe

SUBFAMILY POTOSINAE

Bassaricyon Olmgos

B alien/ Amazonia B beddardi Guyana B gabbi C America and N South America B lasius Costa Rica B pauli Panama Potos P flavus Kmkajou, E Central and S America from S Mexico to Brazil

SUBFAMILY AILURINAE

Ailurus fulgens Red panda, Himalayas to

China

to N. Nigeria

Eira

E barbara Tayra; C and S. America, Trinidad

africana Tropical weasel;

c u/a Little gnson,

C and .

New

Zealand eversmannii Steppe polecat; steppes and semideserts of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia to China

M M

felipei Colombian weasel; highlands of Colombia

(huron).

C and

S America from Mexico to Brazil

capensis

and

China,

clawless otter; 1

of the

Congo Sea

Islands

SUBFAMILY ELLIVORINAE

Mellivora M. capensis Honey badger; Africa from Cape to Morocco in west and Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia in east;

Basin

otter; Kurile

and

Gulf of Alaska, reintroduced into parts of former range along Pacific

SUBFAMILY TAXIDIINAE

Taxidea

S.W Canada and

Sumatra

felma Marine otter; coast and

Conepatus Hog-nosed skunks C. c hinga Andes skunk, Argentina,

and Peru

longicaudis Neotropical river

humboldtn Patagonian skunk; S.

Chile, Argentina

leuconotus Eastern hog-nosed skunk, E. Texas, E Mexico

and S. America from Mexico to Argentina provocax Southern river otter;

C mesoleucus Western hog-nosed

Argentina, Chile

lutra

skunk; S U.S semistriatus

Lutra

European

river otter

(Eurasian river otter), Eurasia south of tundra line,

reintroduced

Paraguay, Peru

Bolivia, Chile, C.

otter, C.

N.C. U.S. south

Mexico

SUBFAMILY MEPHITINAE

canadensis North American river otter (Canadian otter); Canada, U S including Alaska coastal islands of Chile

and Russia

Lontra

confined to a few declining populations in E Europe and Spain lutreolma Indonesian mountain weasel, high altitudes of Java and

taxus American badger; from

coast of N. America (notably

Arabia to Turkmenistan,

Nepal, and India

Aleutian Islands, Alaskan coast,

Myanmar

M. marchei Palawan stink badger; Palawan and Busuanga N.E. of Borneo

En hydra E. lutris

badgers

5째N from Senegal

absent only from desert regions of Namibia A congicus Congo clawless otter; African forest; streams and rivers

European mink,

mgripes Black-footed ferret, western prairies of N America; was rated extinct in the wild, but maintained in captivity and being

Cape

to Ethiopia south to the Cape;

California)

kathiah Yellow-bellied weasel;

China

Africa south of

112

Lanka, S.E. Asia,

Aonyx

N America from about 50째 north to Panama extending through northern S America along Andes

locally

Ferret

javanensis Teledu (Malaysian or Indonesian stink badger); Borneo, Sumatra, Java, and N. Natuna

Indonesia, Borneo, Palawan

frenata Long-tailed weasel;

lutreola

Melogale

M. everetti Everett's ferret badger; Borneo M. moschata Chinese ferret badger; China, Taiwan, Assam, Myanmar, and S.E. Asia M. orientalis Oriental ferret badger; Java, Bali, and S.E. Asia M. personata Indian ferret badger;

A. cinereus Short-clawed otter;

Africa; introduced to

Metes M. metes European badger (Eurasian badger); N. Europe up to S. Scandinavia, European Russia up to Arctic Circle south to Palestine east to Iran, Tibet, and S. China

Amblonyx

Islands, S.

China and

Indochina to Thailand, and

My da us

India, Sri

Sumatra

India, Nepal,

not semideserts of Kazakhstan and Mongolia, Mediterranean region, or

Hog badger; Peking

A. collaris

SUBFAMILY LUTRINAE

S America

peregusna Marbled polecat;

Peru, Brazil altaica

Galictis

and Sudan

steppe and semidesert from S.E. Europe (Romania) east to W. China, Palestine, Baluchistan

N Myanmar

SUBFAMILY MUSTELINAE

banded

Poecilogale P albinucha African striped weasel; Africa south of Sahara

Japanese islands

Mountain weasel; forested mountains of Asia from Altai to Korea and Tibet M. erminea Stoat (ermine or shorttailed weasel); N America and Eurasia south to about 40째N, including Ireland and Japan, but

libyca North African

weasel; semidesert fringes of the

Vormela

zibellina Sable; N. Asia,

Himalayas,

Weasel Family

Gnson

(Sierra

(Appalachians)

naturalized throughout

Sahara from Morocco and Egypt

N America to California Nevada) and W. Virginia

SUBFAMILY MELINAE

Arctonyx north throughout

Poecilictis

Fisher (Pekan or

Virginian polecat); northern

Siberia, Korea, China,

Europe, C. and E. Asia, and southern S. America

to Bolivia

FAMILY MUSTELIDAE

vittata

now

otter;

Borneo Pteronura P brasiliensis Giant otter; in all countries of S. America except possibly Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay

M. vison American mink (eastern

Japan, Korea

European

Smooth-coated

lower Indus, India, S.E. Asia, Myanmar, S.W. China, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra,

to Indochina

Nilgiri

W. Asia M. melampus Japanese marten;

Japan, and Taiwan M. strigidorsa Back-striped weasel; Nepal east through N. Myanmar

marten (yellow-

N. Europe,

M. pennanti

sibirica Kolinsky;

Russia to

perspicillata

Iraq (Tigris River),

mink); originally N. America, but

Mountains of S. India M. martes Pine marten; C. and

Scandinavia to Urals

C. Asia

Nilgiri

throated marten);

Mexico

Denmark and

M. gwatkinsi

introduced in New Zealand M. nudipes Barefoot weasel; S.E. Asia, Sumatra, Borneo M. putorius European polecat; Europe except most of

Mustela and

P maynardi Nassau Island, Bahamas P minor Guadeloupe raccoon; Guadeloupe P pygmaeus Cozumel Island raccoon, Cozumel Island, Yucatan,

marten; S.E Asia to Korea, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo

Asia

M. americana American marten; northern N. America to Sierra Nevada and Rockies in Colorado and California M. flavigula Yellow-throated

nasua Ringtailed coati; S America east of Andes south to N Argentina and Uruguay

patagonicus Patagonian weasel; pampas of Argentina and Chile

and Egypt e$st

across Asia north of Himalayas;

Martes

Ringtail (civet, miner's, or

about 40째; Europe from

sumatrana Hairy-nosed otter; Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia

including Azores, Mediterranean

Lyncodon

Raccoon Family

Arctic to

striatus Zorilla (African or striped

south of Sahara

FAMILY PROCYONIDAE

weasel); N. America from

Atlantic seaboard (except Ireland),

Ictonyx

Order Carnivora

weasel (European

nivalis Least

comfnon

Africa

Spot-necked otter, Africa south of Sahara, absent from desert areas like Namibia maculicollis

Nicaragua

Amazonian skunk;

Mexico, N Peru,

Brazil

Mephitis macroura Hooded skunk,

U.S.

mephitis Striped skunk,

S Canada,

S.,

N Mexico

OF SPECIES

LIST

Peninsular Myanmar, Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo, Sipora and

Spilogale Sported skunks Western spotted skunk;

5. gracilis

U.S. to C.

Mexico

Pagai Islands

Sumatra, Java; introduced to

S.E.

Civetticcis C. tivetta

FAMILY VIVERRIDAE

and

Genetta

Nandinia

palm civet twospotted palm civet from Gu nea including Fernando Poo island to S. Sudan in the north, to Mozambique, E. Zimbabwe, and C. Angola in south 1

(Mozambique genet, Hinton's Mozambique. S. Democratic Republic of Congo,

genet'; N. Angola,

N.W. Zambia,

Thailand, Malaysia, Indochina,

-toothed palm

Forest genet; southern part of

Sumatra, Java, Borneo, RiauLingga Archipelago, Bangka,

genet);

Cape

Afnca G. victoriae Giant genet (giant forest genet); Uganda, N. DRC Poiana

civet; India,

Nepal, Tibet, China north to

Taiwan, Flainan,

Myanmar, Thailand, Malaya,

Paradoxurus

China, Malaya,

Sunda

Nusa Tenggara

Islands) as far east

as Timor, Philippines P.

jerdoni Jerdon's palm S. India

(Palm and

Java, P.

Indochina, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, (Lesser

civet;

Nilgiri Hills,

Sri

DRC

civet,

Myanmar, Thailand, formerly

SUBFAMILY HEMIGAUNAE

Chrotogale C. owstoni Owston's banded civet (Owston's palm civet); north of

the coastal distnct and W. Ghats of

Indochinese peninsula

Sulawesi, Karlinata, Bangka, Buru,

Ambon and Langkawi

Islands,

Philippines

N. Vietnam Diplogale

palm

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mount

civet;

Borneo,

Dulit to

3,900

civet;

Myanmar,

Thailand, Indochina, Malaya,

China

Viverricula

Hemigalus derbyanus Banded palm

zibetha Large Indian N. India, Nepal,

(1,200 m) H.

civet,

Riau-Lingga Archipelago, Borneo,

Sumatra, Borneo, Malayan and Indochinese Peninsulas C. lowei Lowe's otter civet;

Sarawak

ground

tangalunga); Malaya, Sumatra,

bennettii Otter civet (water civet);

and

mongoose;

China, Nepai, Assam, Myanmar,

Hainan, Sumatra, Borneo,

FAMILY HERPESTIDAE Mongoose Family

Philippines

H. vittkollis Stripe-necked

SUBFAMILY HERPESTINAE

mongoose; Ichneumia

Atilax A. paludinosus Marsh (water

mongoose

mongoose Gambia east

to Ethiopia south to

Afnca

albicauda White-tailed mongoose;

W. African

crassicauda Bushy-tailed

forest regions

and S.W.

Liberiictis

L kuhn: Ubenan mongoose, Ubena Mungos M. gambianus Gambian mongoose, Gambia to Nigena

M. mungo Banded mongoose,

Nigena to N. Angola, C. Kenya,

Afnca south of Sahara, except Congo and S.W. Afnca

Uganda

Crossarchus C alexandn Alexander's mongoose (Congo mongoose); DRC, Uganda, Mount Elgon, Kenya C. ansorgei Angolan mongoose; N. Angola, S.E. DRC C. obscurus Kusimanse (dark mongoose, long-nosed mongoose); Sierra Leone,

Paracynictis P.

Cameroon C. penicillata

meerkat);

Yellow

mongoose

(red

selousi Selous's

mongoose

(gray

meerkat'; southern Afnca from

Angola to northern

Africa

Rhynchogale R.

mellen Meller's mongoose; DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia.

and

Mozambique

Suricata 5.

Cynictis

Sn Lanka

Africa; S. Arabia

mongoose; Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya B. jacksoni Jackson's mongoose; C. Kenya and S.E. Uganda 8. nigripes Black-legged mongoose; S.E.

S. India,

Sub-Saharan Afnca except C. and

Bdeogale

suricatta Suricate (meerkat, gray meerkat, or stoksterjey Angola, Namibia, S. Africa, S. Botswana

Africa, Namibia.

SUBFAMILY GAUDIINAE

Angola, Botswana

Galidia

Dologale dybowskii Pousargue

mongoose

(Dybowski's or African tropical

G. elegans Ringta led

mongoose;

Madagascar

savanna mongoose); N.E. DRC, C. African Republic, S. Sudan,

Galidictis

W. Uganda

(Madagascar banded mongoose), Madagascar G. grand idieri Giant stnped mongoose; desert of S.W. Madagascar Mungotictis M. decemlineata Narrow-striped mongoose; W. Madagascar Salanoia S. concolor Brown mongoose, E. Madagascar

Helogale

Dwarf mongoose;

H. parvula

Ethiopia to northern

Afnca west

brachyurus Short-tailed

mongoose; Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Philippines

ed wards: Indian gray mongoose; and C Arabia to Nepal, India, and Sn Lanka H. (Galerella) flavescens N. and C. Namibia, S. Angola H. fuscus Indian brown mongoose; H.

tangalunga Malayan civet (Oriental or

D. hosei Hose's

Indochina, Malay

Peninsula to Penang

Cynogale C.

S. India;

Herpestes

megaspila Large-spotted

js; S.

H. un/a Crab-eating

Madagascar

to N. Namibia

Viverra

Lanka

swa

C. Namibia

Indochinese peninsula, Taiwan,

pardicolor Spotted Iinsang; Nepal,

zeylonensis Golden palm civet;

Borneo

Assam, Sikkim, N. Myanmar, Indochina Osbomictis O. piscivora Aquatic genet (fishing genet or Congo water civet); Kisangani and Kibale-lturi districts

Travancore, and Coorg) P.

richardsoni African iinsang (oyan);

Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Cameroon, N. Congo, Fernando Poo Island

Nepal, Assam, Bhutan, Myanmar,

Kei Islands,

Prionodon P Iinsang Banded Iinsang; W. Malaysia, Tenasserim, Sumatra,

palm

civet (toddy cat); India, Sri Lanka,

Ceram,

region of

Sierra Leone,

Sumatra, N. Borneo, S Andaman Islands; introduced to Japan

Africa

(blotched genet or tigrine genet);

(Celebes)

Thailand,

G. tigrina Large-spotted genet

Paguma

Common

region;

spotted genet); C. Africa, with restricted range in E. Afnca G. thierryi Vlilier's genet (false

Natuna islands Macrogalidia M. musschenbroekii Sul awes oalm civet (giant civet or brown palm civet); N.E. and C. Sulawesi

hermaphroditus

Cape

G. servalina Servaline genet (small-

Bilitung. N.

Africa, C. Africa, S. Africa

(except

ferox Fossa;

G. maculata (formerly G. pardina

Flopei, Shansi,

Common

johnstom Johnston's genet

Sn Lanka H. (Galerella)

Tanzania

(Lehmann's genet); Libena

palm rivet); Assam, Myanmar, Tha and, Malayan and Indochinese peninsulas, China (Yunnan civet (three-striped

Madagascar

Cryptoprocta

Peninsula, France, Palestine G.

rivet);

SUBFAMILY CRYPTOPROCT1NAE

Africa (north of Sahara), ibenan

Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Paiawan

Masked palm

genet isma IIspotted genet or European genet);

G. genetta

India, Nepal,

larvata

Malagasy

Cape

sangu neus Slende" mongoose; Afnca south of Sahara H. smith ii Ruddy mongoose: India,

fossa Fanaloka (.Madagascar or

Fiji

H. 'Galerella)

Angolan genet

of the Sahara except for ra n forest; S. Arabian Peninsula

Arctogalidia

goudotii Falanouc; E.C. to N.W.

G. angoiensis

Arctictus

binturong Binturong ibear cat Bhutan, Myanmar,

Eupleres

Fossa

abyssr ca Abyssinian genet

ian Islands,

gray mongoose, S. Angola, Namibia, S. Afnca

Madagascar

G. felina Fei.ne genet: Africa south

SUBFAMILY PARADOXURINAE

and

Ethiopian highlands, Somaiia

N. binotata Africa"'

Sma

Africa to KwaZulu-Natal,

Hawa

H. (Galerelia) pulverulentus

SUBFAMILY EUPLERiNAE

Namibia n south

SUBFAMILY NANDINIIAE

A. trivirgata

north through

Transvaal, N. Botswana,

and Genet Family

Indies,

naso Long-nosed mongoose; S:e Nigena to Gabon and DRC

Islands

African over; Senegal east

to Somalia

Civet

Sn Lanka, Bhutan; introduced to Madagascar, Sokotra, and Comoro

SUBFAMILY VIVERRINAE

and C. U.S. to E. Mexico and S. pygmaea Pygmy skunk; S.W. Mexico

mongoose;; N. Arabia to China ana Malay Per nsula;

Ball,

-Hainan, Taiwan, Indochina, India,

putorius Eastern spotted skunk;

China, Myanmar, W. Malaysia,

Thailand, Sumatra, Java,

S. India,

G. fascia ta Broad-striped

mongoose

Sn Lanka

ichneumon Egyptian mongoose (Ichneumon); most of Afnca except Sahara, C. and W. African forest regions, and S.W. Africa; Israel, S. Spam, and Portugal

H. javanicus (includes H.

auropunctatus Small Indian )

civet;

indica Small Indian rivet (rasse);

mongoose

(Javan gold-spotted

113

SMALL CARNIVORES

Glossary Words

small capitals refer to

other entries

the glossary.

Adaptation features animal that adjust

its

may be produced

environment;

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

by evolution

of an

camouflage

e.g.,

Adaptive radiation when

closely related animals

members

of a family)

have

other so that they can survive

different niches

grown animal

fully

that

Amphibian any cold-blooded .ertebrate of the class

Amphibia,

on land but

typically living

the water, e

g.,

and newts

frogs, toads,

Anal gland anal

anus or on either

Aquatic

that conveys specific information

by pines, spruces, and cedars

to others, usually to

of teeth especially adapted to

Corm underground food

the

shear with a cutting (scissorlike)

storage bulb of certain plants

visual or vocal elements, as in

Crepuscular active

threat, courtship, or greeting

edge;

living in

Arboreal

living

water

among

the

branches of trees

Arthropod animals with

mammals

in living

unique to

total

them

weight of

living material

used as a food source by

cutting

scavengers

trees for timber or to create

down from

open space

generation

a blind sac in the

for activities such as

animals

fingerprinting," a technique that

and

Delayed implantation when

allows scientists to see

the development of a fertilized

related to

large intestines. In

herbivorous

mammals the

end of the cecum appendix;

often

egg

site of

bacterial action

cellulose. is

in species

The

the

with a

suspended

period before

Domestication process

taming and breeding animals to

Births ere thus delayed until a

provide help and useful products

may

favorable time of year

for

function

Den

Dorsal relating to the back or

Cellulose the material that

constructed, used for sleeping,

forms the

giving birth,

retain

an antibacterial

walls of plants

cell

laid

that,

hard material that

some

down

mammalian

species

cementum

and

of individuals

numbers in

Ecosystem for

all

types of tooth

upper and

each

for

lower jaw are given. The

teeth to be found

International Trade in

typical

leaves of

molar (M). The

number

the total

example

the

name

nowhere

final

for Carnivora

A is

M3/3 = 44

also

and armadillos only

one

else

Estivation inactivity or greatly

decreased

skull.

for

small geographical area,

activity

during hot or

dry weather

Estrus the period

when eggs

Endangered Species. An

13/3,

Dentition animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

set of teeth

ovaries,

Desert area of low

rainfall

available for successful mating.

trade to

Cl/1, P4/4,

are released from the female's

and she becomes

Estrous females are often

permitted levels through a

dominated by

also (verb) to hide food for

system of licensing and

plants such as cacti

future use

administrative controls. Rare

Digit a finger or toe

"receptive" to

of food,

their

agreement between nations that restricts international

Cache a hidden supply

canine (C),

(I),

and

toothless, but

used as group

Endemic found

figure

(P),

whole system

plants, animals,

anteaters, sloths,

CITES Convention on

teeth lying behind

which

Edentate

which the

half of the

and Scats

Feces

environment interact

summarizing the dental in

Droppings see

raise

young, or for winter shelter

arrangement,

pocket

the upper surface

young;

Dental formula convention

under a microscope, can

and

to give birth

be counted to estimate the age

mouth used

raising

humans

spinal part of the body; usually

also (verb) the act of retiring to a

den

annual layers

a shelter, natural or

premolars and molars

and shrubs

reduced cecum the appendix

premolar

trees

completes normal pregnancy.

the order: incisor

Browsing Ceding on

who

for example,

the wall of the uterus and

the canines, consisting of

independence of young

whom,

particular offspring

Cheek teeth

through nesting to

analysis "genetic

which male was the father of

for a variable

implants into

from courtship,

territory),

handed

generation to

the junction between the small

digestive tract

the temporary storage of food

formation

DNA

opening out from

cycle of reproductive activity pair

contains the

living things;

all

genetic code that

numbers are always presented

(and often establishment of

specially

adapted

referred to as "in heat" or as

males

Callosities hardened, thickened

animals and plants are assigned

Digitigrade method of walking

Eutherian mammals that give

areas on the skin (e

to categories: (for instance

on the toes without the heel

birth to babies, not eggs,

touching the ground. See

rear

callosities in

Canine

some

g,, ischial

primates)

a sharp stabbing

(tootf

Appendix

1, 2).

See Volume

Cloven hoof

Canopy

formed from two

ont

jous (closed) or layer in forests

foot that toes,

produced by the intermingling

Congenital born with

< <

and

Plantigrade

pouch on the mother's

Dispersal the scattering of

Extinction the process of dying

each

young animals going

out

within a horny covering

of branches of trees

them without using

page 17

tooth usually longer than rest

broken (open)

114

down and removing

growing crops or grazing

Cheek pouch

entire

(deoxyribonucleic acid) the

substance that makes up the

main part of the chromosomes

alongside the

Breeding season the

DNA in

Biped any animal that walks on See Quadruped

lower molar

Deforestation the process of

two

legs

displays

winter (or the dry season)

teeth. In

variation within

Carrion dead animal matter

coats the roots of

Biomass the

members

can involve

species;

Carnivore meat-eating animal

crabs and insects

species

same

Diurnal active during the day

by trees that lose their leaves

Cementum

and the

Cursorial adapted-for running

premolar and

first

relatively

conspicuous pattern of behavior

twilight

Deciduous forest dominated

jointed outer skeleton, e.g.,

Biodiversity a variety of

the

involved are the fourth upper

very large;

sac) a gland

opening by a short duct either just inside the

side of

mountainous areas dominated

Carnassial (teeth) opposing pair

Cecum

has reached breeding age

breeding

organs from arteries to veins

Display any

and

Carnivora, and the teeth

evolved differences from each

Adult a

Coniferous forest evergreen forests of northern regions

arrangement

coloration

group of

Capillaries tiny blood vessels that convey blood through

mdition animal

live

which every

and the

away from where they were

dies,

born and brought up

forever

belly

last individual

species

lost

GLOSSARY

Eyeshine when eyes of animals

Gestation the period of

Inbreeding breeding among

(especially carnivores) reflect a

pregnancy between

closely related animals (e.g.,

beam

of the

of light shone at them.

caused by a special

layer (the

tapetum)

Gregarious

back

of the eye characteristic of

baby

birth of the

Grazing feeding on grass

reflective

at the

egg and

fertilization

many

living

together

loose groups or herds

nocturnal species and associated with an increased in

Harem

see

ability to

the dark

group of females

same

the

territory

living

and

cousins) leading to

Larynx voice box where sounds

Incisor (teeth) simple pointed

Latrine place where feces are

teeth at the front of the jaws

left regularly,

used for nipping and snipping

added

Indigenous

Leptospirosis disease caused by

living naturally in a

introduced

of closely related species that

plants (grazers

often also look quite similar.

thus herbivores)

Heterodont

Also used as a group

Volume

and

for

are created

region; native

dentition specialized

mammary glands

reduced survival rates

Herbivore an animal that eats

names always

offspring

genetic composition and

consorting with a single male

Zoological family

milk

weakened

Family technical term for group

and browsers are

Lactation process of producing

not an

(i.e.,

often with scent

leptospiral bacteria in kidneys

and transmitted

species)

via urine

Insectivore animals that feed insects

and

Mammary

similar small prey.

name

for

glands

characteristic

mammals, glands

for

animals such as hedgehogs,

production of milk

premolars, each type of tooth

shrews, and moles

Marine

within a species consisting of

having a different function. See

Interbreeding breeding

Matriarch senior female

parents and their offspring

Homodont

between animals of

member

Feces remains of digested food

Hibernation becoming

end

page

"idae." See 1

Also, a social

body

into canines, incisors,

group

inactive

body

different

of a social group

Metabolic rate the

within a single

species or varieties

the sea

living in

rate at

family or strain; interbreeding

which chemical

temperature to save energy.

can cause dilution of the gene

within animals, including the

Feral domestic animals that

Hibernation takes place

pool

exchange of gasses

have gone wild and

special nest or den called a

Interspecific between species

and the

Intraspecific between

from food

expelled from

as pellets,

often with scent secretions

live

hibernaculum

independently of people Flystrike

winter, with lowered

Homeothermy maintenance

where CARRiON-feeding

and constant body

same

individuals of the

activities

liberation of

Metabolism the chemical

species

Invertebrates animals that have

activities

temperature by means of

no backbone

turn food into energy

and

have

eggs

laid their

a high

burrows or

other true

(or

internal processes; also called

bones) inside their body,

underground tunnels

"warm-blooded"

mollusks, insects,

Frugivore an animal that eats

Home

crabs

living in

main part of the

fruit as

range the area that an

animal uses

diet

the course of

Fur mass of hairs forming a

normal periods of

continuous coat characteristic of

Territory

mammals

Homodont

Fused joined together

the teeth are

activity.

dentition in all

its

See

which

IUCN

and

place to another

and back

again, usually seasonal

Molars

International Union for the

large crushing teeth at

Conservation of Nature,

the back of the

mouth

responsible for assigning animals

Molt process

which mammals

and plants to

shed

internationally

agreed categories of

similar in

appearance and function

within animals that

Migration movement from one

e.g.,

jellyfish,

table

rarity.

hair,

usually seasonal

Monogamous

See

below

animals that

have only one mate

Gape wide-open mouth Gene the basic unit of heredity

unbranched prongs projecting

Juvenile young animal that has

environment

enabling one generation to pass

from the head of cloven-hoofed

not yet reached breeding age

Musk mammalian

on characteristics to

animals. Horns have a bony core

its

Horr s

offspring

Generalist an animal that

capable of a wide range of activities,

Keratin tough, fibrous material

Hybrid offspring of two

The 1

made

related species that can

species.

Volume

Kelp brown seaweeds

not specialized

plural

page

closely related is

genera. See

closely

interbreed, but the hybrid

at a

time

mountain

scent

Mutation random changes

with a tough outer covering

group of

Genus

Montane

a pair of sharp,

of keratin like fingernails

respiration

energy

Fossorial adapted for digging

flies

occur

genetic material

that forms hairs, feathers,

and

Native belonging to that area

protective plates on the skin of

or country, not introduced by

vertebrate animals

human

assistance

sterile

IUCN CATEGORIES EX

Extinct,

when

there

no reasonable doubt that the

last

when

Extinct in the Wild,

a species

known

only to

outside the past range. Critically

Endangered, when

extremely high

risk

a species

facing an

of extinction in the wild in the

immediate future.

Lower not

survive in captivity or as a naturalized population well

Vulnerable, the wild

individual of a species has died.

Risk,

satisfy

when

a species faces a high risk of extinction in

the medium-term future.

when

the

been evaluated and does CR, EN, or VU.

a species has

criteria for

Data Deficient, when there

about a species to assess the

risk

Not Eva U ated, IUCN cr t eria. |

not enough information of extinction.

species that have not been assessed by the

Endangered, when extinction

the wild

a species faces a very high risk of in

the near future.

115

SMALL CARNIVORES

when

Natural selection

Placenta the structure that

an embryo to

animals and plants are

links

mother during

its

Roadkill animals traffic

weather) to ensure survival of

Plantigrade walking on the

Rumen complex stomach

the

soles of the feet with the heels

touching the ground. See

digesting plant material

and bad

fittest

New World

the Americas; Old

by road

killed

Ruminant animals

vegetation and later bring

Australia)

have more than one mate

Niche

part of a habitat occupied

by an organism, defined of

all

aspects of

Nocturnal

Nomadic fixed

terms

single

mating season.

Monogomous animals have a single

its lifestyle

animals that have no

Population

a distinct

Old World non-American

New World

again ("chewing the cud" or

Terrestrial living

"rumination") to

Territory defended space

assist

its

the

stomach

group of

species or

all

either by adjustments to

with scattered trees and low

metabolism or by moving

warm

rainfall, usually in

Scats fecal

areas

pellets, especially of

Posterior the hind end or

carnivores. Scent

deposited with the pellets as

Omnivore an animal

Predator an animal that prey for food

vegetable

Prehensile grasping

Opportunistic taking advantage

fingers

of every varied opportunity that

Premolars teeth found

arises, flexible

Opposable

behavior

fingers or toes that

can be brought to bear against others on the in

same hand

or foot

order to grip objects

Order

a subdivision of a class of

animals consisting of a series of

the female's ovary prior to

dominated by shrubs plants usually with

Promiscuous mating often with

one stem

many

Secondary forest

made up

on or

on two

Range

takes to

a "pair bond"

body

all

fours (a biped walks

legs)

the total geographical

area over which a species

distributed

Receptive when a female

of another

birth

Reproduction the process furry coat of a

for the next

Pelt furry coat, often refers to

Retina

ent

fur

produced by

(in estrus)

breeding, creating

mammal

Pheromone

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;woody

more than

or shrub-

covered lands of the

far north

fine hairs

skin

and underneath the outer

coat of

stiff

trees that

mostly HERBIVORES

Uterus

Siblings brothers and sisters

womb

new

offspring

backbone

produce

reptiles), usually

fertile

offspring

May

include

beam

with a skeleton

made

( see above) of certain carnivores,

softer cartilage

especially otters

Vibrissae sensory whiskers,

parts

where the climate

too harsh for trees to grow all

Subspecies a

locally distinc

usually

on snout, but can be on

areas such as elbows,

birth to active

laying

young

such as barking and croaking

from the normal

Zoologist person

workings within plants and

withdrawn, as

animals

animal bodies, e g

typical cats,

digestion.

Keeping a warm-blooded state

the claws of

which can be folded

slightly

appearance of the

species live

species;

often

back into the paws to protect

mutual benefit more successfully

from damage when walking

than either could

its

who

Zoology the study

together for their

live

rather than

eggs

Symbiosis when two or more

eyes

Vocalization making of sounds

differ

called a race

at the

tail,

eyebrows

Retractile capable of being

shone

sometimes

Viviparous animals that give

parts of At

south of the Sahara Desert

group of animals that

of bones, but

Physiology the processes and

mammals,

(e.g., fish,

Spraint hunting term for scats

lying

a tapetum, a reflective layer

when

Vertebrate animal with

look similar and can breed to

Sub-Saharan

light-sensitive layer at

underneath

belly or

of an animal (opposite of dorsal)

courtship

species, e.g.,

Ventral the

Species a group of animals that

of the world

generation

the back of the eye

same

individuals within the

light

physiology

which embryos

mammals develop

causing eyeshine

mammal

and horses;

as pigs, deer, cattle,

and recognize them

a part of

mammals

hairs in

animals to enable others to find

forming a

Ungulate hoofed animals such

Steppe open grassland

ready to mate

skm removed from animal as

Tundra open grassy

on cleared ground

between

animal that

Parturition process of giving

Pelage the

one

Social behavior interactions

Parasite animal or plant that lives

of a species from

dense, woolly mass close to the

have been planted or grown up

acids. Essential in the diet

male and a female together

interpret

Underfur

that includes monkeys, apes,

mates, not just one

rate

testicles are

and ourselves

walks on

mate, marriage

and

of skin within

Scrub vegetation that

its

behavior that keeps a

beyond the time

Scrotum bag

Primate a group of mammals

Quadruped an

bond

location to another

located

of animals

fertilization

Pair

members

Pride social group of lions

Protein chemicals

Ovulation release of egg from

Scent chemicals produced by animals to leave smell messages

which the male

ammo

front

and reduced metabolic

Translocation transferring

markers

territorial

between sunshine and shade Torpor deep sleep accompanied by lowered body temperature

often

of molars, but behind canines

related animal families See

page

for othe s to find

Volume

kills live

tail

a relatively

tropical grasslands

behind another structure

that eats

on land

Thermoregulation the maintenance of

the animals of that species

almost anything, meat or

page

Olfaction sense of smell

continents. See

GENUS, FAMILY, ORDER, Class,

and phylum. See Volume

back from the stomach to chew

Savanna

animals of the same

order of

constant body temperature

breeding season

continuously

The categories,

SPECIES,

one

structure, origins, or behavior. â&#x20AC;˘

that eat

digestion by microbes

mates

a male

with several females

home, but wander

only

mate

Polygynous when

active at night

groups

similarities in their

increasing broadness, are:

Polygamous when animals in

found

ruminants specifically for

Digitigrade

non-

refers to the

classifying organisms into

according to

American continents (not usually

World

the branch of

biology concerned with

pregnancy, allowing exchange of

(including predation

Taxonomy

beside rivers and

living

chemicals between them

challenged by natural processes

116

Riparian lakes

own

studies

of animals