Palawan stink badger
Palawan stink badger | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Mephitidae |
Genus: | Mydaus |
Species: | M. marchei
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Binomial name | |
Mydaus marchei | |
Palawan stink badger range |
The Palawan stink badger (Mydaus marchei), pantot or tuldo in the
Description
Although smaller than true badgers, the Palawan stink badger is one of the larger members of the skunk family, the Mephitidae. Adults measure 32 to 46 cm (13 to 18 in) in length, about the same size as the
The fur is dark brown to black over most of the body, fading to a more brownish colour on the underparts. There are also scattered white hairs across the back and over the forehead, but not the white stripe and head-patch found on the closely related Sunda stink badger. Compared with its sister species, the Palawan stink badger is also slightly smaller, with larger teeth and longer fur. Females have six teats.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Palawan stink badgers live on the Philippine island of
The Palawan stink badger was described as "surprisingly common" in the 1970's, however, it is now considered a vulnerable species by the
Biology
Palawan stink badgers are nocturnal, and feed mainly on invertebrates, such as freshwater crabs and small insects, which they dig out of the ground with their long claws. They are good diggers, and may spend the day in excavated dens. They may travel up to 2 km (1.2 mi) in search of food, and are reported to mark their territory with scent.[5] They are slow moving, and not particularly aggressive, either freezing or emitting a warning snarl when threatened.[7]
Like skunks, Palawan stink badgers possess anal scent glands that emit a pungent yellowish liquid. They are able to spray the liquid up to a metre,[7] and the scent is said to be strong enough to be smelled up to a mile away.[5] The stink badgers rely almost entirely on this powerful odour for their defence, and are among the few wild animals not eaten by the local farmers.[5]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Huet, J. (1887). "Note sur une espece nouvelle de mammifère du genre Mydaus provenant de l'île Palaouan". Le Naturaliste. 2e série. 9 (13): 149–151.
- JSTOR 1382896.
- ^ doi:10.1644/757.
- ^ a b c d Kruuk, H. (2000). "Note on status and foraging of the pantot or Palawan stink-badger, Mydaus marchei" (PDF). Small Carnivore Conservation. 22: 11–12. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2015.
- ^ Eurs, V. 2003. "Mydaus marchei" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 16, 2020 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mydaus_marchei
- ^ .