Jeanette's Wild World of Nature: Mustelids

[Jeanette X]

The Mustelid family is a family of carnivores. Weasels, skunks, otters, badgers, and more are placed in this family.
"Weasel" comes from the Old English word "weosule," which probably meant "flowing" - in reference to the musky secretions of the animal.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/others/endanger/pics/weasel.jpg
Long-Tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata)
The long-tailed weasel has a range through North America all the way to northern South America. They are extremely curious and unafraid of man. They are also known to be vicious. Like rats, the long-tailed weasel can squeeze through very small holes. It is not uncommon for them to kill more than they can eat, and when they gain entry to a chicken coop, they might slaughter every single one. :eek
http://www.invasive-animals.org.nz/images/weasel-leaf.jpg
Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
The least weasel is found in Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America, and it has been introduced in New Zealand where it poses a threat to certain endangered species. Its brown and white coat turns totally white in the winter. It is also the smallest living carnivore, but it is very fierce, and have been known to attack humans who come between them and their food.
The long-tailed weasel and the least weasel make similar sounds. A loud, harsh chirp or a screech can be heard when a weasel is disturbed or ready to attack. A low trill often signals a friendly meeting between a male and a female. A trill also helps a female to call her young. Baby weasels make high-pitched squeaks. At about four weeks of age, their squeaks get lower-pitched and raspier, eventually reaching a chirp similar to the adults'.

[Rongi]

Does that family include ferrets? I hate ferrets. I knew this guy who owned one, and it bit him in the crotch, and he couldn't have children anymore. True story.

[O71394658]

http://www.cites.org/gallery/speciespics/long_nosed_monkey.jpg

[Jeanette X]

Does that family include ferrets? I hate ferrets. I knew this guy who owned one, and it bit him in the crotch, and he couldn't have children anymore. True story.
Yes, it includes ferrets. Ferrets are not vicious if raised properly. I'll bet he abused it. Or maybe he was trying to molest the poor little creature.http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgferret.gif

[Rongi]

He wasn't right in the head, and I'm a bit supprised they sold it to him in the first place :(

[Jeanette X]

He wasn't right in the head, and I'm a bit supprised they sold it to him in the first place :(
I knew it! A ferret-molester! >:

[SLjimbo]

Are pine martens included?

http://www.gwaiiecotours.com/images02/Journey/Wildlife/mammals/marten.jpg

[Jeanette X]

Yep. But be patient, I will get to all of them. Including pine martens.

[The Retro Kat]

I want to but one of those cats youve been talking about, they look cute. I love kitties.

[Jeanette X]

I want to but one of those cats youve been talking about, they look cute. I love kitties.
I hope you aren't serious.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/images/mustela_erminea2.jpg
Ermine (Mustela Ermina)
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/news/images/kitinsack.jpg
Kits
The ermine, like the least weasel, turns white in the winter, and brown in the summer. It is also sometimes referred to as a stoat (pronounced "stout") although this word is usually reserved for when it is in it's summer coat. They are both bold and vicious and have been known to clamber up people's clothing for food.
http://www.wrc.govt.nz/lm/photos/stoat.jpg
"As the female ermine lopes off, her long, thin body humps in the middle like a caterpillar's. Suddenly she dives into the soft snow, leaving only a neat, round hole behind. A few yards beyond, her head pops up through the snow. It swivels like a periscope on a long, snaky neck, then ducks into the snow again.
Most of the ermine's prey are small rodents that live beneath the snow in winter. To hunt them effectively, she must go where they go: into their runways, tunnels, and burrows. Shes the perfect size for hunting meadow voles, as her body diameter is almost exactly the same as the voles. Other vole species are also eaten, including brown and collared lemmings." (http://www.renres.gov.yk.ca/wildlife/weasel.html)
Their soft white skins are used to make fur coats, trimming, stoles, and neck pieces. >: During the middle ages, ermine fur was considered a symbol of royalty, and was often worn by rulers. It ranges through the north of North America and Eurasia.
The ermine was once considered a symbol of virginity and purity because of it's perfect white coat, and legend had it that it would rather die than get dirty.
http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/9194/eliz1-ermine.jpg
Queen Elizabeth I, pictured with an ermine (probably a pet ferret in real life).

[Rongi]

I want an ermine so bad :(

[Spectre X]

those critters are so damn cute, I want one! THEY'RE CUTE DAMMIT!!! GET ME ONE!!! AARGH!!

ahem, yeah, I want one.

[Jeanette X]

No kiddies, you can't buy a live ermine. They're vicious. http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:wBwYt8T5fHIC:users.capu.net/~kwelch/pp/pics
But you can get a nice little ferret. http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgferret.gif
http://www.bioclic.ca/encyclopedie/mammiferes/photos/mustela_v.jpg
American Mink (Mustela vison)
The American mink is about the size of the housecat and is an excellent swimmer and climber. It is a tireless wanderer and may travel many miles in search of food. It ranges through out the United States and Canada. They were accidentally introduced to the British Isles, where they pose a serious threat to native wildlife. :( Mink pelts have for years been considered one of the most luxurious furs on the market. 2.94 million pelts are still produced annually. >:
http://www.zoo.poznan.pl/index/norka.jpg
European Mink (Mustela lutreola)
The European mink is a critically endangered species, ranking with the Iberian lynx as one of the top priorities. :( It is a nocturnal predator, and freqents water courses and marshes. The main reasons behind it's decline is competition, and the accidental introduction of the American mink from fur farms. >: It once ranged throughout most of Europe.

[Vibecrewangel]

Ms. X I love your animal threads!

[AChimp]

I want an ermine coat. :(

[Cap'n Crunch]

My dog looks like an ermine. He is about the same size, probably more vicious, but he is a different color than the ones you posted. He is a Chihuahua.

http://www.vi2.com/getFile/196553.gif This should be an emoticon.

[kellychaos]

http://www.vi2.com/getFile/196553.gif This should be an emoticon.[/quote]

Proto gets HIS own emoticon ... you get YOUR own emoticon ... dog and cats living together ... it'll be anarchy! >:

[Jeanette X]

I want an ermine coat. :(
I will keep you in a tiny cage and then anally electrocute you.
Ms. X I love your animal threads!
Thank you. I like that I'm appreciated. :)
http://www.greenapple.com/~jorp/amzanim/e-polecat.jpg
European Polecat (Mustela putorius)
Although the word "polecat" is used interchangably with "skunk" in some areas of the United States, a polecat is in fact not a skunk, but a kind of weasel. These animals are solitary and nocturnal. Vocalizations include chattering, barking and squealing. This animal is the wild ancestor of the modern domestic ferret. They range throughout Europe, but in Britain, they are only found in Wales due to past persecution.
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umvanuy0/ferret/fercup.jpg
Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo ) showing it's natural curiosity.
http://www.parrotsoftheworld.com/ferret-angora.jpg
Long haired Angora ferret.
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~HCtokuno/petbunrui/animal/image/ferret/ferret-white-marshal.jpg
White ferret.
The ferret is essentially a domestic polecat subspecies. It has been domesticated longer than the rabbit. It was probably domesticated around 2500 years ago in the northern Mediterranean region. Aristophanes used the word "house-ferret" in at least four plays to satirize political oppenents. The Romans brought ferrets to Britain along with rabbits around the 1st Century but it probably wasn't until the 11th Century that the Normans brought them in great numbers to England. Ferrets were used to hunt rabbits. The killing instinct was eventually bred out of them because the rabbit hunters did not want the animal killing the rabbit and damaging the pelt. They are fully domesticated, not semi-domesticated or semi-wild. They are wonderful apartment pets, and are very affectionate and playful. They make chirping sounds.
http://users.1st.net/hammock/gallery/jpegs/bubba2-table.jpg
http://users.1st.net/hammock/gallery/jpegs/fatboy-coke.jpg
They often become attached to a particular object, and are fond of moving it from hiding place to hiding place. Go here to learn about more ferret behaviors. http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_behavior.htm
http://www.lairweb.org.nz/leonardo/ermine.jpg
This portrait, although commonly referred to as "Lady with Ermine", it probably depicts a pet ferret.
http://homepages.shu.ac.uk/~conseal/frthist07.jpg
Domestic ferret, from 1551.
For more medival ferret art, go here. http://homepages.shu.ac.uk/~conseal/frhistpg.htm

[Jeanette X]

http://taipei.tzuchi.org.tw/tzquart/2000su/picture/44b.jpg
The Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica)
The Siberian weasel can be found in mountains, plains, swamps or even villages and cities. It feeds mainly on rodents, and live in eastern Asia. It is also known as a Kolinsky, and it's fur is often made into high quality water color brushes. (Sorry I don't have an actual photograph. The only other picture I could find was a rather creepy-looking stuffed specimen. :( )
http://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/ferret/images/bessken_ferret2.jpg
The Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes)
The black-footed ferret should not be confused with the domestic ferrethttp://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgferret.gifor the European polecat, as it is a totally seperate species and undomesticated. It once ranged through southern Canada to northern Mexico, but it now is an endangered species and can be found in only Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. :( Over 90% of it's diet is made up of prarie dogs. Massive hunting and poisoning campaigns against prarie dogs have made it the rarest native animal in the United States. >:

[Rongi]

Now I want a ferret :(

[kellychaos]

I want an ermine coat. :(
I will keep you in a tiny cage and then anally electrocute you.

I think that there's more involved than just ermine ranching with those breeder fellas ... bleh ... butt killing. No good can come of that. :/

[Jeanette X]

http://www.iucn.org/news/pics/pressbpjuly2902weasle.jpg
Back-Striped Weasel (Mustela strigidorsa)
The back-striped weasel is one of the rarest animals in the world. It is found in Thailand, and it's sex can be distinguished by the stripes on it's back-one for male, two for female.
These members of the mustela genus are apparently to obscure to warrant little more than a brief mention. I couldn't find any pictures.
Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni)
Colombian weasel (Mustela felipei)
Tropical weasel (Mustela africana)
Mountain weasel (Mustela altaica)
Malaysian weasel (Mustela nudipes)
Indonesian mountain weasel (Mustela lutreolina)
Yellow-Bellied Weasel (Mustela kathiah)
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/factsheets/mammals/images/p_marten.jpg
American Marten (Martes americana)
The American marten is nocturnal and rarely observed. Actually getting to see one is considered lucky. They are partly arboreal, and move swiftly in the trees. It is found in Canada and the northern United States.

[Jeanette X]

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mammal/images/marten1.jpgThe European Pine Marten (Martes martes)
http://www.zoo.uralregion.ru/children/martes.jpg
European pine marten kits.
The European pine marten is distributed throughout most parts of Eurasia. Although it was widespread in Britain, it is now restricted to Ireland and northern great Britain. It is a skillful treetop hunter, racing on thin branches and leaping from one treetop to another in pursuit of squirrels and other prey. They also forage on the forest floor. They will often den in abandoned squirrel nests and birds nests, rocky crevices, and underground.
http://eco.goo.ne.jp/wnn-z/files/data/japan/image/tusimate.jpg
The Japanese Marten (Martes melampus)
Forgive the shitty picture. That was the best one I could find of this species. :/
The Japanese marten is found in Japan and in Korea. I couldn't find out much else about that would interest you.

[Jeanette X]

http://www.rcsd.k12.ms.us/~web08/bhs_main/teachers/WEB_JHOLLIS/sable1.jpg
Sable (Martes zibellina)
(No wisecracks about the wrestler or the superhero please.:rolleyes) The sable is found in northern China and Siberia. They are both curious and vicious little animals. Sables have been hunted for fur for centuries, but now hunting is allowed only by licenced persons in order to allow the wild population, which was drastically reduced at the beginning of the 20th century, to grow. It is also kept on fur farms. >:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/media/epbauer/mpennanti.jpg
Pekan (Martes pennanti)
Also known as a fisher, the pekan is a very aggressive hunter, and it has been known to eat other carnivores. It will even kill martens. Usually an area has a good population of either pekans or martens, but never both. There have been numerous reports of fisher attacks on domestic animals and even children. :eek It is important to recognize that fishers are simply trying to find food and protect themselves. It is important to restrict access to garbage, pet foods, pets, and domestic fowl. When startled, fishers may react aggressively to the perceived threat. (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/martes/m._pennanti.html) It is found only North America.

[Les Waste]

That sable is way too fucking cute. :(

Awwwwwwwwwwww. :(

[Jeanette X]

http://www.univ-lehavre.fr/cybernat/images/martfoin.jpg
Stone Marten (Martes foina)
Also known as a beech marten, this animal is found from Spain to Mongolia. They are nocturnal and humans rarely see them because of it.
http://www.lenzoopark.spb.ru/zvery/1404_18m.jpg
Yellow Throated Marten (Martes flavigula)
The yellow throated marten, also known as the Indian marten, lives in Asia. It's diet consists mainly of squirrels and mice, although it does sometimes attack larger prey.
Those are the martens, although there is one called the Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsi) that I couldn't find a picture of. I'll be back with more mustelids.

[Jeanette X]

"Picture a weasel -- and most of us can do that, for we have met that little demon of destruction, that small atom of insensate courage, that symbol of slaughter, sleeplessness, and tireless, incredible activity -- picture that scrap of demoniac fury, multiply that might some fifty times, and you have the likeness of a Wolverine." -Ernest Thompson Seton, 1953
http://www.wolverinefoundation.org/graphics/coxgulo1.gif
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
"You got a problem with me, bub? *snick*
The wolverine ranges in northern North America and in northern Europe and Siberia. Wolverines are extremely strong and aggressive for their size, and they have been reported to drive bears, cougars, and even packs of wolves from their kills. :eek It is also capable of killing prey five times larger than itself. The wolverine can also run up to thirty miles an hour, and are excellent climbers and swimmers. Play has been observed between mates and between siblings as well as between kits and their mothers. Wolverines are also known to play with objects. They have been known to carry traps away and bury them deep in the show. They are rarely vocal, except for grunts and growls when irritated.

[The_voice_of_reason]

I want to get attacked by a wolverine so I could brag about it.

[Jeanette X]

http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/animals/276b.jpg
Tayra (Eira barbara)
The tayra is found in the forests of central and South America. It is about the size of a mid-size dog. Tayras are both terrestrial and arboreal; terrestrial locomotion is usually composed of erratic, bouncing movements with the back arched and the tail along the ground. Arboreal movements along horizontal branches are more fluid, and the tail is used as a balancing rod. A tayra may leap for considerable distances, run up rocky cliffs, and bound from branch to branch in the trees. When alarmed, the tayra gives a short, barking call and seeks protection in the nearest tree. Although usually silent, the tayra has been known to give yowls, snarls, or clicks when in groups. (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/eira/e._barbara.html) It was also sometimes tamed by the indigeonous people and used to control rodents.

[Jeanette X]

http://www.zoo.poznan.pl/index/perewiaz.jpg
Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna)
I know it looks like a stuffed toy, but this is actually a marbled polecat. It lives in northern Asia, and it is frowning because it is endangered and very rare. :(

[Matt Harty]

ITS A FERRET! :D

[Jeanette X]

No it is NOT a ferret. It is in an entirely separate genus from both domestic ferret, and the black-footed ferret. Go back and look at the other posts to learn what ferrets really are. http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/mgferret.gif >:

[Jeanette X]

http://www.kidsweb.de/dino/zorilla.gif
Zorilla (Ictonyx striatus)
I know what you're thinking:
"What the fuck? Zorilla? That's a skunk!"
Although it resembles a skunk, the zorilla (or striped polecat as it is also known) is actually not a skunk at all. Skunks, in fact, are no longer members of the mustelid family, having been reclassified into their own family, the mephitae, along with the stink badgers. (Those damn taxonomists keep shuffling species into different catagories and forget to tell me about it!) But the zorilla remains classified as a mustelid. They are found all over Africa.

Before I move on to the otters and badgers, who are also mustelids, here are the ones I left out because I could find little to no information about them:
Greater grisón (Galictis vittata)
Little grisón (Galictis cuja)
Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon patagonicus)
North African Striped weasel (Poecilictis libyca)
African Striped weasel (Poecilogale albinucha)

[The_voice_of_reason]

"What the fuck? Zorilla? That's a skunk!"



Zorilla is Spanish for skunk. :eek

[Anonymous]

shouldn't you be dead or something

[Jeanette X]

Zorilla is Spanish for skunk. :eek
Maybe Spanish explorers called it that because they didn't know what the fuck it was?

[The_voice_of_reason]

Maybe Spanish explorers called it that because they didn't know what the fuck it was?

I was told it was meant to mean "little fox" zorro means fox.

[Jeanette X]

And now, for my favorite animal in the world:
http://www.southpenquite.co.uk/badger.jpg
http://www.cosmic.org.uk/leaguewildlife/images/badger.jpg
The Eurasian Badger. (Meles Meles)
Eurasian Badgers live in social groups of, on average, 6 adults (although groups as large as 23 have been recorded). Sociality was not recognized in this species until fairly recently, however, since badgers are only seen by humans when the animals are out alone at night to forage. More detailed study has revealed that they actually live together in large underground catacombs called "setts." These are systems of interlocking tunnels with nest chambers, toilets, and several entrances. Badgers inherit setts from their parents generation after generation, while always expanding and refining them. The result is huge tunnel systems that are, in some cases, actually centuries old. Excavation of a sett in England revealed that it contained 879 meters of tunnels, 50 chambers, and 178 entrances. The researchers estimated that its construction required the removal of 70 tons of soil! Genetic analysis has shown that members of badger social groups or "clans" are closely related. Through radiotracking it has been determined that this is due to delayed dispersal, resulting in family groups remaining together. Females are even less likely than their brothers to leave the sett in which they were born. Clans often consist of a dominant male, a dominant female, and their subordinate offspring. The dominant pair are generally the only individuals that successfully produce cubs, although all or most of the females mate with the dominant male. Subordinate females often become pregnant, but on the few occasions when the pregnancy is carried to term the dominant female generally finds and kills the resultant cubs. Subordinate badgers do not seem to be "helpers at the nest," as are found in some birds and a few mammals. Although it is difficult to observe badgers since they are only above ground at night, it seems clear that subordinates do not bring food to the nest for the breeding female or her cubs. They do, however, participate in sett excavation and the airing of nest material, but not at significantly higher rates after the birth of a litter. (Nest material is frequently carried to a sett entrance where it is aired in the sunshine for several hours, probably cutting down on external parasites.)
Badger clans are territorial, defending an area (50 to 150 hectares) that contains their home sett and several foraging areas. They delineate their territories by placing latrines, areas where all clan members urinate and deficate, at regular intervals along the borders. Territories are also outlined by the paths that the badgers use when patrolling the boundaries. They mark both paths and latrines with the copious and decidedly odoriferous secretions of their subcaudal glands. Badgers, especially males, will aggressively defend their territories against intruding foreign badgers.
The functions and patterns of sociality in this species are not well understood. It is possible that climate is an important factor. Average group size varies throughout their range, and in some areas, such as southern Europe, they seem to be solitary. Where badgers live singly or in pairs the climate tends to be warm, and their setts are small and simple. In colder areas the setts are dug down below the depth to which the ground freezes, and the whole clan sleeps together in one nest chamber, possibly for warmth. Thus large, cooperative groups may be necessary for the construction of deep setts and the sharing of body heat, although this hypothesis has not been thoroughly tested.
Badgers remain fairly common in much of their range, probably because they are able to live among humans. It is not uncommon in England for the range of a group of badgers to include suburban developments, especially since some people intentionally leave food out for them. A matter of some concern is the preservation of historic badger setts. Since some of these constructions are centuries old, citizens have sometimes successfully argued for their preservation despite proposed real estate and infrastructure developments.

[Jeanette X]

http://www.sierraclub.org/lewisandclark/images/badger.jpg
North American Badger (Taxidea taxus)
http://www.badgers.org/images/gallery_badger_and_coyote.jpg
Badger with coyotes.
http://www.badgers.org/images/gallery_badger_and_snake.jpg
Badger vs. snake.
The North American badger is much more fierce and solitary than it's European cousin. It is found primarily in the great plains region, although its range has expanded greatly since the start of the 20th century, and it is now found in Canada. They have few natural enemies other than man, and can easily outfight a dog. They can dig through very hard dirt, and there are even anecdotal accounts of badgers digging through pavement and concrete. Unlike the European badger, which is a forager, the American badger hunts its prey, eating mainly small rodents that it uncovers by digging. Coyotes have been known to stand around while badgers dig for their meals, grabbing whatever escapes the badgers grasp. This relationship appears to be a symbosis, although it is unclear what the badger gets out of it. Coyotes have even been observed attempting to initiate play with the badger, who is generally not interested. Occasionally coyotes prey upon young badgers, but their relationship is usually a mutually benifical one. North American Badgers also eat poisonous snakes. Their thick, loose skin is too difficult for the snake to pierce, and the badger is practically invincible against the snake unless it is bitten directly on the nose.

[Jeanette X]

Ha ha! I'll be you fuckers thought I was done with this thread! Well I don't care if you've lost interest! I'm going to finish it, you hear me?! I'm not even done with the badgers yet, let alone the otters! MWAHAHAHAHA!
Seriously, I promise you guys that the next time I do a family this large, I will break it up into multiple threads. :(
Like ferrets? Like badgers? Well then you'll like the ferret badgers! Although they are classified as badgers and not ferrets, they look like combinations of the two.
http://www.badgers.org.uk/badgerpages/pictures/melogale-01a.jpg
Chinese Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata)
Unlike other badgers, the ferret badgers do not dig their own holes, but use preexisting ones. The Chinese ferret badger has been observed sleeping in trees.
I could not find any pictures of the other two species the Burmese ferret badger (Melogale personata), and Everett's ferret badger (Melogale everetti). There was also next to no information about them.
http://www.badgers.org.uk/badgerpages/pictures/arctonyx-02.jpg
The Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris)
The hog badger is found in China and southeast Asia. They are ominivorous. It is known to fight predators quite fiercely when threatened, and when a spotlight is beamed on it at night, it will often dig itself out of sight.

[KILLADEUCE]

I have nightmares of bieng chased by a hog badger...

[Jeanette X]

http://www.accuratereloading.com/ratel.jpg
Ratel (Mellivora capensis)
The Ratel is not a true badger, but it is often referred to as a "honey badger" because of its fondness for honey. It has a symbosis with a bird called the honeyguide. The honeyguide will lead the ratel to a bees nest, and the ratel answers its calls with howls until the nest is reached. Then, the ratel fumigates the hive with the skunk-like secretions from its anal glands, which causes most of the bees to fly away, and kills the rest in the hive. The ratel then eats the honeycomb. When it is finished, the honeyguide eats the leftover honeycomb, dead bees, and grubs.
The ratel is a very dangerous animal. When threatened, it rushes to its attacker with an angry roar, and rips out the testicles. :shocked It is very fierce, and has even been known to chase lions away from kills. It lives in Africa.
Next: Otters!

[Big Papa Goat]

This thread makes me happy.

[Jeanette X]

This thread makes me happy.
:)
http://www.biology.ucsc.edu/people/williams/jeanine/media/otter01.jpg
Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)
http://www.cyber-sisters.org/gpages/otters/otter38.jpg
Sea otter pup.
Sea otters are smallest marine mammal. They can dive up to 180 feet, and use rocks, shells, or manmade objects to pry food from rocks. They eat various mollusks, starfish, crustatians, abolone, and urchins. They will usually use rocks to smash open shelled animals, and this distinguishes them as tool users. The loose skin under their forelegs serves a pouch to hold food that has been gathered under water. They must eat 20-25% of their body weight in seafood each day to maintain their body heat, because unlike most other sea mammals, they have no insulating layer of blubber. They also maintain warmth with their thick fur, which they will usually spend about half the day grooming to maintain its insulating properties.When sleeping, they lie floating in the water, having wrapped themselves in kelp to keep from floating away. A group of otters resting together in this fashion is called a "raft". When the otter sleeps during the day, it covers its eyes with its paws to block out the sun.
http://www.cyber-sisters.org/gpages/otters/otter16.jpg
The male sea otter has been known to grab the pups away from their mothers, only releasing them when the female otter presents him with food. Male sea otters mate with females by biting their noses and mounting them from behind. Some females have been known to drown while the male mates with them, although this is rare.
The sea otter was once almost extinct due to years of hunting, but in 1911 protections were instituted and the sea otter has made a significant comeback.
Sadly, many otters were killed in the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill. Sea otters are one of the most vunerable species when it comes to oil spills, as the oil ruins the insulating qualties of their fur and causes them to die of hypothermia.
http://www.channel6.dk/native/Grabs%20full/AK4-077V.jpg
Dead sea otter.
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/anphys/2000/Boehm/otter35.jpg
Rescued sea otter being groomed after being cleaned of oil.
Although the coast of Alaska seems to have recovered well from the spill, it will be a long time before it and the otter population have fully bounced back. Sea otters are considered a keystone species of the marine ecosystem, meaning that their presence or absence significant effects the ecosystem as a whole. Scientists believe that the sea otter contributes significantly to marine ecosystem of the sea, and protecting them is a high priority of environmentalists.

[Jeanette X]

I'm guessing by the lack of any response that none of you like sea otters. Whats wrong with you people? >:































:attentionwhore

[agroskaterik]

Oh!.. um.. sea otters kick ass!

[Jeanette X]

http://www.zooatlanta.org/images/final_images/otter2.jpg
Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Amblonyx cinereus)
The Asian small-clawed otter, aka the Asian clawless otter, is found in southern Asia. As the name suggests, they have tiny blunt claws.
Asian clawless otters are social and playful creatures. They play chase, tug of war, "slip and slide" on muddy hills, and other games which they develop . When otters are not entertaining themselves, they sun on rocks, hunt, or leisurely paddle in water. Otters live in groups of 4 to 12. Breeding pairs mate for life and both parents rear the pups . Females are dominant to their male mates. Males hunt for food for both the mother and pups until the pups can survive on their own. Once reaching adulthood most of the otters stay with their parents. This forms the core of a small social group. These diurnal otters have a vocabulary of at least 12 calls.
In southeast Asia fishermen use these otters to drive schools of fish into their nets. The otters are put on a harness and allowed to keep any fish they catch. Asian small-clawed otters are bred by fishermen for this purpose. A major component of Asian small-clawed otter's diet is crabs, which are pests in rice fields. The otters aid farmers by reducing crab populations in their fields. Source: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/amblonyx/a._cinereus.html
http://www.otternet.com/galleries/capeclaw/africanclawless2.jpg
Cape Clawless Otter. (Aonyx capensis)
http://www.otternet.com/galleries/capeclaw/zaotter.jpg
Cape clawless otter pup.
The Cape clawless otter is found only in Africa. It is solitary and territorial, and is often observed playing with small stones and sticks.
http://www.photohome.com/pictures/animal-pictures/water/otter-2a.jpg
Spotted-Necked Otter. (Lutra maculicollis)
The spotted-necked otter is found in southeast Asia, India, China, Pakistan, and Iraq. I couldn't find any more info about it.

[Spectre X]

Otters = teh :love

also, does the mongoos belong to the Mustelids? They kick ass. :)

[Jeanette X]

also, does the mongoos belong to the Mustelids? They kick ass. :)
No. Mongoose are classified in their own family, called Herpestidae, or Herpestids. I might do a thread on them someday, though.

[Spectre X]

k, cool.

I love your threads.

[Jeanette X]

http://www.ga.k12.pa.us/academics/ls/5th/Multimedia/MultimediaMadness02/AmyRF/icons/giantotter1.jpg
Giant Otter. (Pteronura brasiliensis)
The giant otter lives in South America. Although once abundant, habitat loss and hunting for it's pelt have made it endangered. They are social animals, living in familial groups of about ten and taking turns with child-rearing duties. They are the largest of the otters, being up to six feet long. They are a powerful predator, and although they mainly eat fish and other aquatic creatures, they are capable of killing even anacondas.
http://www.otternet.com/galleries/congo/actionplan2.jpg
Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congica)
Virtually nothing is known about this otter. It lives in Africa, and is very similair to the Cape clawless otter.
http://www.cryptozoology.com/cryptids/images/waitoreke01.jpg
Eurasian River Otter (Lutra lutra)
The Eurasian river otter is found in Europe, the Arctic Circle, northern Africa, and most of Asia. They inhabit all watery places, even the sea.
It is very playful, and uses over a dozen vocalizations to communicate.

[imported_Hollycaust]

Your thoughts on domesticating sea otters? :D

[Jeanette X]

Your thoughts on domesticating sea otters? :D
Sea otters belong in the sea.
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/photos/a012c.jpg
Smooth Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata)
The smooth otter lives in southeast Asia, and are very playful.
http://www.otternet.com/ROA/updates1.jpg
Hairy-Nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana
The hairy-nosed otter lives in south Asia. Little is known about it, as it is very rare.

[Big Papa Goat]

The giant otter looked like my uncle. So fierce, yet so lovable. You should do a goat thread sometime.

[Jeanette X]

The giant otter looked like my uncle. So fierce, yet so lovable. You should do a goat thread sometime.
Next I'm doing a thread about earthworms, then Herpestids, then I'll get to goats.
I'm having a lot of trouble finding out what really are the proper Latin names of these otters. Every other site I visit seems to have a different variant. I guess they shuffled some of them into a new genus and nobody had updated their sites yet. To the best of my knowledge though, these are accurate. I'll edit this thread if I find out otherwise.
http://www.otternet.com/galleries/seacat/chinchi.jpg
Marine Otter (Lontra Felina)
Please forgive the bad picture. It was the best I could find.
This otter is also known as a sea cat, even though it obviously isn't a feline. I don't know why people give animals such misleading names. It lives in Chile and Peru, is only found in the sea, and is generally quite solitary. Sometimes marine otters will fight each other for limited resources.
http://www.otter.org/specie3.jpg
Neotropical Otter (Lutra longicaudis)
This otter lives in central and South America. It prefers streams and creeks over rivers.
http://www.otternet.com/galleries/srotter/actionplan1.jpg
Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax)
This species is found only in Chile and Argentina. It is critically endangered. :( I couldn't find much else about it.
http://www.perimeterpoint.com/galleries/mammals/naotter.jpg
North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
The North America river otter is found in Alaska, Canada, and most areas in the United States. They are very playful, frolicking in the mud and snow, and seem to have boundless energy. They also have a wide variety of vocalizations.

Well, thats it. Those are all the mustelids. Hope you enjoyed this thread. :)