Burmese Ferret-Badger - Profile | Behavior | Traits | Facts

(Last Updated On: April 15, 2021)

The Burmese ferret-badger, scientific name Melogale personata, also referred to as the large-toothed ferret-badger, is a mustelid native to Southeast Asia. The Burmese ferret-badger (Melogale personata), also referred to as the large-toothed ferret-badger, is a species of mammal within the Mustelidae family.

Burmese Ferret-Badger profile

Body size: 35–40 cm / 14–16 in
Tail size: 15–21 cm / 6–Eight in
Weight: 1.5–Three kg / 3–7 lb
Lifespan: Unknown (wild), as much as 10 years (captivity)
Range: Southeast Asia.
Conservation standing: Least Concern
Subfamily: Helictidinae

The Burmese ferret-badger has a head and body size of 35 – 40 cm, a tail size of 15 – 21 cm, and a bodyweight of 1.5 – 3 kg. The fur ranges from fawn brown to darkish brown, with a white dorsal stripe. The face is marked with black and white patches, that are distinctive to every particular person. The rear part of the tail is whitish.

The rarity of the Burmese ferret-badger makes it troublesome to find out their behavior, however, numerous preliminary research recommends they are often present in evergreen forests. It can also be believed they could dwell in savannas or grasslands.

They are primarily nocturnal and spend a lot of the day sleeping. They choose to reside in deserted burrows as a substitute for digging their very own.

Little is understood in regards to the social behavior, range, or territories of the Burmese ferret-badger, nonetheless, one examine reported males having residence ranges giant sufficient to encompass the ranges of a number of females, roughly 4–9 hectares (9.8–22 acres).

Similar to different members of the genus Melogale, it’s believed the Burmese ferret-badger is generally solitary, besides throughout mating season.

The Burmese ferret-badger has been reported to have an average litter size of three cubs. They are often born simply before the wet season and are fed for 2 to 3 weeks by their mom. Very little is understood past this reproductive cycle.

They will devour invertebrates and bugs reminiscent of cockroaches, grasshoppers, and earthworms. The Burmese ferret-badger has the biggest teeth of every other Melogale species, which is believed to be an adaptation for crushing laborious shelled bugs and snails.

They are additionally reported to eat younger rats, frogs, toads, small lizards, carrion, small birds, bird eggs; together with plant matter and fruit.

Burmese Ferret-Badger Description

The Burmese ferret-badger has a head and body size of 35–40 centimeters (14–16 in), a tail size of 15–21 centimeters (5.9–8.3 in), and a bodyweight of 1.5–3 kilograms (3.3–6.6 lb).

The fur ranges from fawn brown to darkish brown, with a white dorsal stripe. The face is marked with black and white patches, that are distinctive to every particular person. The rear part of the tail is whitish.

Burmese Ferret-Badger Appearance

The Burmese ferret-badger is much like that of the Chinese ferret-badger, however with refined variations. Typical coloring consists of darkish gray or brownish fur on the back, with related however lighter colored fur on the underside. The white dorsal stripe can run from the pinnacle halfway down the back, or so far as the tip of the tail.

Like the Chinese ferret-badger, the Burmese ferret-badger additionally has the attribute facial masks consisting of darkish fur on the nostril and across the eyes, with light-colored rings up towards the ears and a white patch halfway behind the ears, however within the Burmese ferret-badger, the darkish patches are a lot smaller and thinner, with the lighter fur predominating, ensuing within the masks being a lot much less well-defined.

Burmese Ferret-Badger Traits

Burmese Ferret-Badgers have a body size between 33 and 43 cms (13 – 17 inches), a tail size between 15 and 23 cms (6 – 9 inches) and so they weigh between 1 and three kgs (2.25 – 6.5 lbs).

They are darkish gray or brown in color with white or yellow patches on their cheeks and in between their eyes. They even have a skinny white or yellow stripe on the top of their head and neck.

If they really feel threatened they emit an offensive anal gland odor and so they have a tough chew.

Habitat

Burmese Ferret-Badgers will be discovered within the grasslands and forests of east and southeast Asia. They are energetic at night.

Diet

Burmese Ferret-Badgers feed on bugs, snails, small mammals, birds, frogs, eggs, and fruit.

Breeding

Little is understood about reproduction within the Burmese Ferret-Badger. They often give delivery to a litter of three younger, simply before the wet season.

Predators

Larger carnivores are more likely to prey upon Ferret-Badgers.

Burmese Ferret-Badger – Profile | Behavior | Traits | Facts | Range