The family Mustelida corresponds to a large group of animals that belong to the order of carnivores, with more than 60 species, where find badgers, weasels, stoats, polecats, mink, martens, fishermen, wolverines and otters.
In this article on our site we want to introduce you specifically to the types of badgers, a group of omnivorous animals characterized by their short legs, which gives a stocky appearance, in addition to its digging habits. Badgers are polyphyletic, that is, they are grouped into various species that do not necessarily have the same evolutionary origin, but share several traits. In this sense, the term badger is more of a generic than a taxonomic use. Regarding this last aspect, there are divergences to classify these animals, however, below we will show the most accepted classification. Thus, badgers are classified into six genera (Arctonyx, Meles, Melogale, Mellivora, Taxidea and Mydaus, although the latter has become part of another family, as we shall see), within which we find a total of 15 species of badgers. Let's get to know them!
Greater Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris)
The coloration of the coat is gray or brown, while the tail can be white or light yellow. It is characterized by the presence of two dark stripes on the face, while the throat area is white, as are its claws. The snout is similar to that of a pig and its teeth have been modified, which it uses to remove the earth. It weighs between 7 and 14 kg and measures between 55 and 70 cm.
The species is native to Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Lao People's Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. As is generally the case with badgers, it likes to dig into the ground to bury itself. It inhabits from lowlands to mountainous areas, in various types of forests, from evergreen to deciduous, non-forested rural areas and alluvial areas with the presence of grasslands. It is estimated that it consumes mainly worms It is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Northern hog badger (Arctonyx albogularis)
It is native to Asia, specifically China, India, and Mongolia. It differs from the earlier type of badger by its smaller size and by having only a single sagittal crest. It has a non-uniform grayish coloration, which is lighter and even white in several areas of the body.
It is a versatile species from an ecological point of view, since it grows from sea level to 4,300 meters. It is present in shrubby forests, agricultural areas, abandoned fields, mountain pastures, rural areas and even in undisturbed forests. It feeds on various types of animals, leaves, roots and acorns. It is classified as Least Concern.
If you want to know more Animals of Asia, don't miss this other article!
Sumatran hog badger (Arctonyx hoevenii)
It is characterized by being the smallest species of the genus Arctonyx, in addition, its fur tends to be less abundant and darker than in the above. To give you an idea, the size of this badger is generally similar to that of a cat.
As its name suggests, this type of badger is native to Sumatra, in Indonesia. It develops in habitats such as forests, thickets and grasslands in low mountain areas, generally covered with mosses, where it usually burrows. It feeds mainly on invertebrates, such as earthworms, beetles and larvae. It is located in the category of least concern.
Eurasian badger (Meles meles)
Within the genus Meles we find one of the best-known badgers, the Eurasian badger, which has a strong build, with short legs and a short tail The weight ranges from almost 7 to 16.6 kg, with the males being heavier than the females, while this difference does not exist in length, having a range of 56 to 90 cm. The coat is grey, with the base of each hair white and the tip darker. Its distinctive feature is two black stripes that go from the nose to the ears, which are separated by a white line. The IUCN considers that there is a subspecies within the species, called Meles meles canescens, although there are proposals for it to be considered a separate species and known by the name 'Caucasian badger'.
It has a wide distribution throughout Europe and Asia, developing through deciduous forests, open grasslands with the presence of patches of bushes, coniferous forests and thickets, although it also lives in urban parks. Its diet is omnivorous and it consumes a variety of vegetation, such as fruits, nuts, acorns and bulbs, among others, and invertebrates and small mammals. It is considered Least Concern.
Japanese badger (Meles anakuma)
The coloration of this species is brown, although not completely uniform. The face is lighter, white in some cases, with a brown stripe on each eye that extends to the snout and ears. Both males and females have the same coloration. The weight range is from 3.9 to 11 kg, and the average length is 75 cm.
This species is native to Japan and grows in evergreen or coniferous forests at various altitudes. Consumes earthworms, beetles and berries. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
Asian badger (Meles leucurus)
It is a robust type of badger with an elongated appearance. It is characterized by its developed nails of up to 26 mm, used agilely to dig. The weight and size vary according to the region, but it ranges from 3.5 to 9 kg and a maximum of 70 cm. It is generally grayish, but the hue varies from region to region, with two dark stripes in each eye
Distributed throughout various regions of Asia and temperate eastern Europe. Its habitat is deciduous forest and open grassland with wooded patches, but also areas with conifers, thickets, semi-desert and even suburban areas. It is in the category of least concern.
Chinese Polecat Badger (Melogale moschata)
We now turn to the genus Melogale and start with the Chinese polecat badger, also known as the small-toothed ferret badger, a small badger that weighs maximum 3 kgand has a length of up to 40 cm. It presents different brown colors that can be dark, yellowish or grayish. The face is black with a white forehead and has a pattern that forms a kind of mask, which varies between individuals. It has a white stripe on its back.
It usually lives in caves made by other animals, in forests, grasslands and disturbed areas, although the types of habitats are not exactly known. It feeds on earthworms, insects, frogs, snails, fruits and dead animals. It is considered Least Concern.
If you find it curious that it lives in caves and you want to know more about it, don't miss this other article about Animals that live in caves and burrows.
Burmese polecat badger (Melogale personata)
Also known as the big-toothed ferret badger, its distinction as a species is unclear given the similarity to M.moschata However, although the IUCN suggests that studies be carried out, it maintains it as a separate species. This is a kind of small badger, weighing between 1 and 3 kg and with an elongated body, measuring up to about 43 cm. It is gray to brown in color, with short, webbed legs, as is common in the genus. The head is usually black and white, with a typical black stripe on the snout, two thinner stripes on the face, also black, and a white one that runs from the head to the tail.
This badger is native to various regions of Asia and thrives in forests, meadows, thickets and disturbed areas. It is classified as Least Concern.
Borneo polecat badger (Melogale everetti)
Weighs around 2 kilos and is up to 44 cm long. The tail is long, between 15 and 23 cm and has abundant fur. Their claws are strong and their legs are equally short. Its distinctive feature is the shape of a yellowish or light-colored mask on the face. Additionally, the dorsal stripe can be white or reddish.
This species is native to Malaysia, where it thrives in hills with evergreen formations, scrub and montane forest. It is estimated that it feeds on worms and smaller vertebrates. It is classified as endangered by the IUCN.
Java Polecat Badger (Melogale orientalis)
This is a smaller type of badger, like the rest of the species of the genus. It has a small head and elongates to form the snout. The weight is between 1 and 2 kg, with lengths between 35 and 40 cm, and a long tail of up to 17 cm. The coloration is brown with reddish tones and typical white patches on the head and face, as well as other regions of the body. A brown band is located on the eyes, throat and back of the ears.
It is a species native to Indonesia, growing in forests, thickets and urban areas. It is listed as least concern.
Vietnam Ferret Badger (Melogale cucphuongensis)
This type of badger has been named based on only two specimens, one located in a museum and the other photographed. For this reason, research is lacking to validate the species and find out, if it exists, the traits that characterize it. It would be native to Vietnam and is categorized as data deficient by the IUCN.
Honey badger (Mellivora capensis)
Starting now in the genus Mellivora, we find a single species, the honey badger. It is a large badger, weighing up to 12 kg and a maximum length of 70 cm, with males being larger than females. The coloration is very distinctive: the upper part is white or gray, while the lower part is dark. The front legs are more developed than the back ones, and the same happens with the claws.
It is distributed throughout various regions of Asia and Africa, being present in forests, thickets, savannahs and even in desert areas. It feeds on a wide variety of animals and is also a scavenger. It is considered Least Concern.
Expand your knowledge and discover other Animals that live in the desert to find out how they survive.
American badger (Taxidea taxus)
Within the genus Taxidea we only find one living species, the American badger. This species of badger measures between 52 and 85 cm, while the tail does not usually exceed 15 cm. The weight range is from 4 to 12 kg, the legs are short and robust and the body shape is flattened. The fur is relatively abundant compared to other species, with a grayish to reddish coloration on the back and sides, while the belly is rather beige. The throat and face are whitish, but the latter has black patterns. In addition, there is a white stripe that runs from the nose to the shoulders in individuals located further north, or to the back in those located further south.
This type of badger, unlike the species seen so far, is native to Canada, the United States and Mexico It is found from sea level up to 3,600 meters in grasslands and open spaces with little plant cover, where it uses abandoned caves. It feeds on various types of animals that it locates mainly below the ground. It is considered Least Concern.
Malay Skunk Badger (Mydaus javanensis)
This species is commonly known as the badger and was for some time classified within the family Mustelidae, however, is now placed in the Mephitidae, corresponding to a type of skunk. Its coloration is black or blackish brown with white tones that extend from the head to the tail, sometimes not regularly. It has more abundant fur on the back than on the ventral area. The weight ranges from 1.4 to 3.6 kg, while the length from 97 to 51 cm. Like those of his group, he has a well-developed anal olfactory gland
It is native to Indonesia and Malaysia, where it grows in both primary and secondary forests and adjacent plant formations. They have an omnivorous diet, feeding on worms, insects, eggs, carrion, and plants. It is located in the IUCN category of least concern.
Palawan Skunk Badger (Mydaus marchei)
This species also had a different taxonomic classification, as in the previous case, and has recently been placed in the family Mephitidae Therefore, as in the previous species, is currently no longer considered a type of badger taxonomically speaking, but a type of skunk or skunk. Its size ranges from 32 to 46 cm, with an average weight of 2.5 kg. It has strong limbs and claws adapted for digging. The coat tends to be dark brown with a light yellowish patch on the head that extends to the shoulders. If disturbed, it excretes a foul-smelling substance through its anal glands.
This species is native to the Philippines, having as habitats primary and secondary forests, grasslands and intervened areas; it has also been seen on the edges of mangroves and streams. It feeds mainly on both worms and arthropods. It is considered Least Concern.
