Animal A Day!

Every year on September 19th, we learn about a Badger. We've talked about the American Badger, Honey Badger, and Japanese Badger-- so now comes time for the iconic European Badger. Meles meles This critter lives everywhere  in Europe. Its range covers nearly the entire continent, plus parts of the Middle East as well. With a span that large it's no wonder that there are eight different subspecies, the most populous of those being the creatively named "Common Badger," Meles meles meles. European Badgers can measure up to 3ft in length and weigh between 20 and 35lbs, depending on the time of year (they bulk up in the fall.) They have those distinctive white faces with black lines running from ear to mouth. This Badger species is one of the least carnivorous of all the members of the Carnivora Order. They will track down rabbits and other prey using their fantastic sense of smell, but they also eat a huge amount of vegetation as well, including fruits, fungi, a...

Mustela sibirica Meet the Siberian Weasel, also known as the Kolonok! These Mustelids have a huge range that spans across not just Siberia, but China, Mongolia, India, and several other east and central Asian countries as well. They have also been introduced to parts of Japan. These long, slender mammals have impressively long tails-- they can be half their entire body length! They have fur that ranges from blonde to red, and have black masks and a white snout. Siberian Weasels live in burrows, but the term "burrow" is very non-specific. They will hang out in tree stumps, fallen logs, and in dens that were built by other mammals but were vacated. The Weasels tend to have multiple burrowing sites-- one primary location and a number of more temporary hiding places. Theses burrows are also were the Weasels care for their young. They line the area with feathers and other soft materials. Mating takes place in April and May, with a gestation period of about a month. A fem...

We've talked about a few different Hybrid animals in the past, and most of those are creatures that are completely man-made-- they would never hybridize in the wild. Today's animal is a bit different in that it can and has crossed before in wild conditions (though it is still rare to do so). Khonoriks are crosses between European Mink and European Polecats. The only meet up in the wild in parts of Europe that have declining Mink populations. There is evidence of this happening at the turn of the 20th century, when warmer climates caused the Polecats to enter Mink ranges. In 1978 the first captive bred Khonoriks were bred, by Dr. Dmitry Ternovsky in the Soviet Union. The fur produced by the hybrids was more valuable than that of the two parent species, but the breeding projects declined when Mink populations did, and are now more or less defunct. Khonoriks are are roughly the same size as European Polecats, the larger of the two parent species. They have d...

Spilogale pygmaea Pygmy Spotted Skunks are found only on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, where they live in wooded areas. Because of their range, they are listed as Vulnerable. Tourism and development has lead to habitat loss and fragmentation. Pygmy Spotted Skunks have small, slender bodies that reach up to a foot in length. Their fur is black with 2-6 white stripes running down the length. Those stripes eventually break up into spots near the hindquarters. As with all Skunks, this particular species has scent glands near the tail. However, when threatened their first reaction is not to spray, but rather to flee. If cornered, they will puff up and get aggressive  and will only turn to spray if that still does not work. Pygmy Spotted Skunks are omnivores, and will feed on insects, fruits, small mammals, and reptiles, and will even climb trees in their search for prey. Baby Skunks follow their mother around during her nighttime forages. IUCN Status :...

Procyon cancrivorus The Crab-Eating Raccoon is a lesser-known relative to the popular and iconic Common Raccoon. This particular species lives in Central and South America, inhabiting marshy, forested areas. The name is a bit misleading, as the Crab-Eating Raccoon does not exclusively eat Crabs. It is also not the only Raccoon to eat Crustaceans-- the Common variety does as well. In addition to their name-sake meals, these Raccoons also eat amphibians, fruits, eggs, fish, and insects. They are very dexterous creatures, having the ability to manipulate food and other objects with their hands. Crab-Eating Raccoons are nocturnal and solitary. They look slimmer and sleeker than their northern cousins, but that is only because their hair is shorter due to a lack of undercoat (they don't need it since they live in tropical climates). IUCN Status :  Least Concern Location :   Central and South America Size : Body length up to 30in (80cm) Classification :...

Galictis vittata There are two species of Grison in the world, the Lesser ( G. cuja ), and the Greater ( G. vittata ). They are both found on the continent of South America, and are sometimes referred to as South American Wolverines. The Greater lives further North, reaching into Mexico and Central America, while the Lesson Grison lives only in the southern parts of the continent. Though they have a Wolverine name  they are no where near the size. These Mustelids grow only about 1 foot and a half in length, and they actually look a little skunk-like. Both species have black legs, bellies, and faces, but have a grey backs. Grison are diurnal, and live either alone or in small groups that burrow into the ground for both food and shelter. They are omnivores, feeding on small mammals like mice and chinchillas, as well as on fruits. They kill their prey by a fast bite to the neck. Interestingly, the Grison can be tamed, and they are used in ...

Hydrictis maculicollis The Spotted-necked Otter can be found in many of the rivers and lakes of Sub-Saharan Africa. They prefer to live near clear, continuous, fresh water, and will build dens near these sources. When it comes to Otter size, this species is on the small end of the scale-- full body and tail length tops out around 1m, and females are generally smaller and lighter than the males. They can be identified by their sleek brown coats, and by the namesake white and brown spots on the neck and underside. Spotted-necked Otters live either alone or in very small family groups and they tend to be more social during the breeding and birthing seasons. However, some father Otters will help to raise the pups, while others do not. Regardless of how many otters they live with, these guys certainly love to play, and will splash and frolic either alone or in groups. One of the reasons that Spotted-necked Otters prefer clear water is that they hunt almost exclusively by...

Meles anakuma Why it's that day of the year again. Happy Badger day! (We actually could go for another eight years before running out of Badgers to talk about...) Last year we talked about the internet-famous Honey Badger , and the year before we learned about my beloved American Badger , but this year we'll be discussing one of the lesser known Badgers, the Japanese Badger! Japanese Badgers belong to a different subfamily from the previously featured Badgers, and are close relatives of the yet-to-be-discussed European and Asian Badgers. As you can probably guess, they are endemic to Japan, and their island dwelling lifestyle has left them slightly smaller than their continental cousins. It is hypothesized that their ancestors entered Japan from the Korean Peninsula, which would explain why the species has not been found on the northernmost island, Hokkaido. You can identify the Japanese Badger by their grey-brown hair and chocolate colored facial...

Ferrets Today's animal will probably be a familiar one, as they have become very popular pets in the last 30 or so years. But did you know that Ferret domestication goes back much, much further than a few decades? Through mitochondrial DNA testing, we know that Ferrets were domesticated from either the European Polecat or the Steppe Polecat (or a hybrid of the two) somewhere between 2,000 and 2,500 years ago! The first domesticated Ferrets were used specifically for the hunting and capture of other small animals, and the name "Ferret" itself derives from the Latin word furonem -- "Thief". Wild Ferret relatives (like the aforementioned Polecats) are naturally good at moving their lean bodies through underground tunnels and burrows, flushing out prey like Rabbits and Moles. Domesticated Ferrets have the same skill set, and for hundreds of years were used to hunt small mammals and control rodent populations. Ferret hunting does still exist in some areas, bu...

Mustela nivalis The Least Weasel has a very appropriate name- they are the smallest member of the entire Carnivora order ! Though their size is small, their home range is not. These little Mustelids live in Europe, North America, North Africa, and Asia. They have also been introduced to several other locations as well. Least Weasels feed on other small mammals, and on rare occasion also hunt birds and amphibians. While their prey is usually smaller, like a mouse or gerbil, they have been known to take down much larger animals like adult rabbits. Like a handful of other Mustelids, the Least Weasels change color depending on the time of year. In winter their coats are dense and white, while in summer the hair is more coarse and brown. The breeding season of the Least Weasel is completely dependent on their prey . If the rodent populations are high they might breed a few times a year. But if the populations are low, there may only be one litter. The young...

Nasua nasua Meet the South American Coati, a curious looking member of the Raccoon Family that is native to the forests of it's namesake continent. Coatis are gray or brown in color, and have the ringed tails that can also be found in their Raccoon cousins. They are diurnal, and live in groups that can number up to 30 individuals . They feed off of a huge variety of fruits, eggs, and invertebrates, and they use their long noses to help them overturn rocks and plants to find meals. South American Coatis are both arboreal and terrestrial. They do most of their hunting on the ground, but interestingly they mate and give birth in trees! Right now, South American Coatis are listed at the Least Concern level, due to their very wide range. However, populations are on the decline as threats of hunting and deforestation continue to affect them. IUCN Status :  Least Concern Location :   South ...

Last year for my birthday I wrote about one of my favorite animals, the intensely awesome and unforgettable American Badger. I figured this year (wow, it's been a year?) I'd write about another Badger, the ferocious and epic Honey Badger. Mellivora capensis Do not let this name fool you! Honey Badgers are anything but sweet. Also known as Ratels, these large Mustelids can be found in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. They are known for their incredible courage, fearlessness , and tenacity. Just Google Honey badger, seriously. The entire first page of results is essentially websites and videos about how much butt they kick  (the video in that link includes profanity, but is nonetheless hilarious). Honey Badgers get their name because they enjoy eating Bee larve. They have an interesting relationship with a bird known as the Honey Guide . The bird leads the Badger to the hive, then waits to get an easy meal once the Badger has gotten its fill. The Badgers have a...

The Eastern Spotted Skunk is perhaps not what you would think of when the word "Skunk" comes to mind. After all, they don't have stripes! Spilogale putorius All Skunks are members of the Musteloid superfamily, which makes them relatives to Weasels, Badgers, and Racoons. Eastern Spotted Skunks are actually pretty Weasel-looking, moreso than some other Skunks, due to their slender bodies. This allows them to be more agile and active. Not only is this species more agile and more slender than other Skunks, but it is also  more social . During the winter as many as eight Skunks may share a common den. They also happen to be the only Skunk that climbs trees! Eastern Spotted Skunks are omnivores, and they are excellent rodent catchers. Their diet  changes based on the seasons , but they also eat insects, fruit, eggs, and even honey. They themselves are preyed upon by owls, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and a handful of other predators. When threatened, they do a serie...

Lutra lutra The Eurasian Otter is also frequently referred to as the Common Otter. They have a pretty large range that spans across Europe and Asia, and they can be found near all sorts of waterways, including areas of both salt and fresh water. Eurasian Otters do almost all of their feeding in the water. They have webbed paws to help them swim, as well as the ability to dive for up to two minutes at a time. While in the water their whiskers serve as sensory devices, alerting them to the movement of fish and other animals. They eat a huge variety of creatures, including birds, crustaceans, fish, clams, and insects. A single Eurasian Otter can eat 15% of its body weight each day! Adult Otter Juvenile Otters are incredibly social and love to play, slipping and sliding down river banks and chasing and wrestling. Their playtime also serves the purpose to teaching them how to hone their hunting techniques. Mother Otters also help their offsprin...

Neovison macrodon Sea Minks are another species that have gone extinct in more recent times. These close relatives to the American Mink lived on the Atlantic coast, and were for a while considered to be a  subspecies  of the American Mink, but recent research has shown that the two are distinct species. In their time, the Sea Minks lived off of the ocean, consuming fish and mollusks. Unfortunately, they were hunted to extinction by around 1894. The primary reason for the loss of this species is the think reddish fur that they possessed. At the time, the European  fur trade was in high demand for Mink pelts, and the Sea Mink was the largest Mink out there. While they had assuredly been hunted for hundreds, if not thousands of years by native peoples, the European demand was the final blow . IUCN Status :   Extinct since the 1890s Location :   North Atlantic Coast of United states and Canada ...

Winter Coat Ermine Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family : Mustelidae Genus : Mustela Species : M. erminea Length : 13in (33cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Ermines (also known as Stoats) can be found natively throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are one of those curious creatures that possesses the ability to change color with the season. In summer, they are brown with lighter undersides, but in the winter they are almost completely white! Ermines are skilled predators that consume mostly birds and small mammals. Ermine's don't live particularly long, in fact, their average life expectancy in the wild is only a year or two! Because of this, females are sexually mature at the age of only two months, which is remarkable since young are born blind and helpless . Interestingly, males take a year or two to sexually mature, meaning they often only live through one mating season. Summer Coat Ermine The win...

( Image Source ) The Asian Small-Clawed Otter, ( Aonyx cinerea ) also known as the Oriental Small-Clawed Otter, can be found in freshwater wetlands and swamps of South and Southeast Asia, as well as in Indonesia and the Philippines. They have slender, short furred bodies, with very small, blunt claws (hence the name). Their feet are not fully webbed, which gives them increased dexterity with their hands. This allows them to catch prey- which includes Crustaceans, Mollusks, small Mammals, and Fish- with their hands rather than just with their mouths like other Otters do. Asian Small-Clawed Otters have a couple more cool features. They are the smallest of all the Otters, weighing in at a maximum of 10lb (4.5kg) and measuring up to 24in (61cm). They are also the most vocal. They make about a dozen different sounds , each with its own specific meaning. They also have excellent vision both above and below water. ( Image Source ) These Otters live in small, female-dominated grou...

They may look like abnormally cute ferrets, and while   Vormela peregusna  are  Mustelids, and members of the same subfamily as Weasels, Martens, and Badgers, but they belong to a genus all their own. They are one of the rarer Mustelids of the world, though their range covers large parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Marbled Polecats can be found in open habitats like grasslands, and steppes. ( Image Source ) The Marbled Polecat gets its name from the interesting pattern that shows up on its back. Their face is black and white, but their body is a rich marbled combination of yellows, browns, whites, and reds. They have short muzzles, long tails, and powerful front claws that help them to dig and burrow. When threatened , Marbled Polecats hiss and fluff up their hair, making their bodies appear much larger. They also have some exceptionally stinky glands under their tail that release foul odors. Normally solitary creatures, Marbled Poleca...

We all know about Mustelids; otters, weasels, badgers. But have you heard about the Tayra? Tayras are the only species within the genus Eira  and are found in tropical forests of Central and South America. They look quite weasel-life, with dark brown body hair, a lighter colored head, a body length of around 60cm, and a bushy tail. Tayras weigh up to 11lbs. ( Image Source ) Tayras ( Eira barbara ) are diurnal and solitary, and are both arboreal and terrestrial, often making their homes in hollow trees. Tayras are excellent swimmers and climbers. They are also omnivorous , and prefer to eat rodents, though reptiles, insects, and fruits are also consumed. Tayras are different from some other mustelids in that they do not have delayed implantation during reproduction. After mating the females have a a 63-70 day gestation period before giving birth to 2-3 offspring. These young are weaned after 2-3 months. Many wild Tayra populations are on the decline , due...

What A Lovely Creature! ( Source ) It's my birthday today, and Wisconsin won yesterday, so heck, I'm doing the Badger! Badgers are awesome! Now, we're talking about the American Badger in this instance, not the European or Honey Badger, though both are just as awesome but will be discussed at a later date. American Badgers ( Taxidea taxus ) can be found throughout plains habitats in the western United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico. Since 1957 the Badger has been the state animal of Wisconsin , and the Badger moniker itself comes from the "Badger den" holes that miners lived in during the early 1800s. Fun Wisconsin Facts! American Badgers are relatively large Mustelids. They can grow as large as 3ft in length and weight over 25lbs. They have flat bodies, and short, stocky legs that are used for some serious digging. They vary in overall color, but all Badgers have a very distinctive face with a white chin, black patches, and a white stripe that extend...