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Chinese Ferret Badger
Melogale moschata
Classification:
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Melinae
Genus: Melogale
Species: Melogale moschata
Distribution / Range /
Habitat:
Chinese ferret badgers can be found throughout Taiwan, China, southeast Asia, northern Myanmar, northern Vietnam, and northern Laos. They inhabit forested and wooded hillsides, along with open grasslands.
Lifespan/Longevity:
One Chinese ferret badger is recorded to have lived 17 years in captivity, but the average lifespan in the wild is 10 years.
Physical Description:
The Chinese ferret badger is the smallest member within the badger family. They reach a maximum weight of 3 kilograms, and a length of 30 to 40 centimeters. The main dorsal coloring of the Chinese ferret badger can range from dark chocolate-brown, to fawn-brown, to grayish-brown. The underbelly can range anywhere from white to light orange. Their head is a mixture of black and white markings. A distinguishing feature is the dorsal stripe, which runs as far as the shoulders and then gets thinner toward the middle of the back. The ears, toes, and nose are pink.
Feeding Habits:
Chinese ferret badgers are considered to be omnivores, but are mostly carnivorous. They feed on small rodents, amphibians, insects, fruit, and invertebrates.
Behavior:
Chinese ferret badgers are nocturnal, making them active at night. They either live in holes or in rock crevices. The holes they live in are either dug by them or by other animals. The Chinese ferret badger also has claws that are great for climbing, and therefore, often climb trees. They have been observed sleeping in trees. When alarmed, ferret badgers secrete a foul-smelling odor with which to deter predators.
Reproduction:
Little is know about the mating system of this species, but what is known is that Chinese ferret badgers give birth to an average of 2 to 3 cubs. Females normally give birth to 2 litters per year, one in May or June and another in September or October. The litters are born in burrows and protected by the mother for at least 2 months of age. The young are fed milk from the mother for at least 2 months as well.
Predators:
Little is known concerning predation of the Chinese ferret badger. All that is known is the likely predators for the badgers are larger carnivores. Because of the foul-smelling odor emitted by the Chinese ferret badger, these critters would be a difficult challenge for most predators.
Other Chinese ferret badger sites:
For more information about the Chinese ferret badger contact
the Small Carnivore Tag Education liaison by email
page created by Andrea Youngblood, Pensacola Junior College, Fall 2006
