The mustelid family unites many phylogenetically related species, but very different in adaptive features, body structure and lifestyle.
Most of them are small, although there are medium ones. Their body weight varies from 100 grams to 40 kg, and their length is from 15 to 150 cm. The body is massive, elongated and very flexible.
The mustelid family, or rather its representatives, is distinguished by a developed hairline. The color of the coat is varied. There are plain, and spotted, and striped. There are species in which the coat is darker below and lighter above. Seasonally, these animals change their splendor and density.
Kunih family: representatives
This family is divided into three subfamilies: martens, skunks, badgers and otters.
Starting from the first…
Marten subfamily
- Weasel is the smallest animal with a thin elongated body. It is found where most of the rodents.
- Ermine. It looks like a weasel, but it's bigger. Another distinguishing feature is the black tip of the tail. This furry animal of the weasel family breeds once a year.
- Solongoy. He is larger than a stoat. Usually,representatives of this species inhabit the treeless mountains and plains of Central Asia, the East and China. It mates in winter and spring. The duration of the female's pregnancy is about 33 days.
- Columns. A furry animal with a dense body, the length of which reaches 39 centimeters. The end of the muzzle is white, and a black mask is “put on” near the eyes. The tail is usually brighter than the back.
- European and American mink. These animals live near the reservoir. They are excellent divers and swimmers. They usually mate in spring.
- Ferrets. There are three varieties of them: steppe, black and black-footed. There is another species - the African ferret - this is an albino form of black. The largest of all is the steppe.
- Bandaging. A furry animal that lives in the steppes, deserts and semi-deserts.
- Tine and stone marten. The fur of these animals is very thick and beautiful. In the stone it is light, and in the forest it is dark brown.
- Sable. Outwardly, it resembles a marten, only the tail is shorter. This animal is widespread on the territory of the former USSR.
- Ilka - this animal is larger than previously described species. Weight reaches 8 kg.
- Kharza is a strong beast with an elongated body. Its coat is smooth, rough, shiny.
- Taira is an inhabitant of the forests of South, Central America and Southern Mexico.
- Grison. There are two types of them: small grison and grison. They live in wooded and open areas.
- Zorilla lives in Africa
- The spotted ferret lives in North Africa
- Wolverine is an animal with a massive body, powerful, wide paws. Weight reaches 19 kg.
Honey badger - the animal belongs to a monotypic subfamily.
This is a large animal, whose body length reaches 77 cm. The body is flattened, massive, and the legs are thick and short.
The mustelid family is further subdivided into the badger subfamily.
Representatives:
- Common badger. Distributed in the territory of the former USSR. The length of the body reaches 90 cm, and the tail - 24 cm.
- American badger. The body length reaches 74 cm, and the body weight is 10 kg.
- The pig badger is common in South Asia. Inhabits the plains and mountains. Body weight reaches 14 kg, and length - 70 cm.
- The ferret badger bears the common name of three peculiar animals at once. They are grouped into the genus Helictis. All of them have thick fur. Live in South Asia.
The mustelid family is subdivided into a subfamily of skunks.
Representatives:
- The striped skunk lives from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The length of the body is not more than 38 cm, and the tail is 44 cm. The weight does not exceed 2.5 kg.
- The spotted skunk is common in Central America and the USA. The mass of the animal is not more than 1 kg.
- The Patagonian skunk lives within South America. It reaches 49 cm in length.
- White-nosed skunk. Almost the entire body is covered with black hair, and the tail, back and end of the muzzle are white on top.
There is also a subfamily of otters, these include: an ordinary otter, as well as Canadian, feline, Indian and others.
After reading our article, you briefly met the amazing family of mustelids.
