Chinese Ferret-badger

Taxobox
name = Chinese Ferret-badger


status = LC
trend = unknown
status_system = iucn2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Carnivora
familia = Mustelidae
genus = "Melogale"
species = "M. moschata
binomial = "Melogale moschata"
binomial_authority = (Gray, 1831)

The Chinese Ferret-badger ("Melogale moschata") is a member of the Mustelidae family. Distinctive mask-like face markings distinguish the Chinese Ferret-badger from other oriental mustelids. This badger lives in burrows or crevices and is active at dusk and at night. It is a good climber and feeds on fruit, insects, small animals and worms. It is savage when alarmed and its anal secretions are foul-smelling.The female gives birth to a litter of up to 3 young in May or June.

The average body size of the Chinese Ferret-badger is 33 to 43 cm with a tail of 15 to 23 cm. It lives in grassland and open forest of north eastern India, southern China, Java, and Borneo.