Small-toothed Ferret-badger

About this species

Size

Body 33–43cm; tail 15–23cm

Diet

Fruit, insects, small animals and worms

Habitat

Grassland, open forest and rainforest; also farmland and vegetable gardens

Range

North-east India to central and southern China and northern Indochina

Litter size

Up to 3 young

The Chinese ferret-badger, or small-toothed ferret-badger, is a mustelid distinguished from most other oriental mustelids by mask-like markings on the face. The average body is 33–43 cm long with a 15–23 cm tail. It is densely distributed from north-east India to central China and south to northern Indochina, in grassland, open forest and tropical rainforest (Wikipedia, general species account).

It copes well with human habitation, using firewood stacks and rock piles as resting places and farmland and vegetable gardens for feeding. It rarely preys on chickens or livestock and causes few conflicts with people. It rests by day in burrows, such as small rodents' dens, or in rock crevices, and feeds on fruit, insects, small animals and worms. A female gives birth to up to three young in May or June (Wikipedia, general species account).

Description: Wildlife of India guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)