Melogale moschata subaurantiaca

(Swinhoe, 1862)

Vernacular names
English : Small-toothed ferret-badger
French : Blaireau-furet de Chine

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Mustelidae
Notes : 6 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach 40 cm in length for a weight of 1.6 kg. Small legs with prominent claws, elongated snout, bushy tail. Coloration mostly grizzled grey with white dorsal stripe fading at mid-back, black and white face markings.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from east India to most of China, Taiwan, Hainan and south to Vietnam. Subspecies endemic to Taiwan. Lives in tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, grasslands and cultivations.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is very poorly known but can withstand some habitat degradation and often occurs near human settlements. Sometimes hunted.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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