Mustelidae
Author
Don E. Wilson
Author
Russell A. Mittermeier
text
2009
2009-01-31
Lynx Edicions
Barcelona
Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores
564
656
book chapter
http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5714044
df4b6a3c-ae64-4bcf-a990-77fc6599759c
978-84-96553-49-1
5714044
19.
Javan Ferret-badger
Melogale orientalis
French:
Mélogale de
Java
/
German:
Java-Sonnendachs
/
Spanish:
Melandro javanés
Taxonomy.
Gulo orientalis Horsfield, 1821
,
Java
The Javan Ferret-badger was previously considered a subspecies of the Large-toothed Ferret-badger. Two subspecies are recognized.
M.o.
Subpecies and Distribution.
M. o. orientalis Horsfield Horsfield,, 182 1821
- E
Java
and
Bali
.
M. o. sundaicus Sody, 1937
— W
Java
.
Descriptive notes.
Head-body
35-40 cm
, tail
16-17 cm
; weight about
2 kg
. The Javan Ferret-badger has a small, slender body, and a long snout. The pelage is dark brown, with paler undersides. The head is black with a facial mask consisting of white or yellow patches. The skull is small.
Habitat.
Forests and grasslands.
Food and Feeding.
Said to be omnivorous.
Activity patterns.
Reported to be nocturnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
Terrestrial, but also said to be an agile tree climber.
Breeding.
Littersize is said to vary from one to three.
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Data Deficient in The
IUCN
Red List. Recorded recently in
Central Java
(perhaps Dieng
Plateau
), Gunung Halimun Nature Reserve, and Gunung Gede. Very little is known about this species and field studies are needed to learn more aboutits natural history, ecology, and conservation status.
Bibliography.
IUCN
(2008), Lekagul & McNeeley (1991), Long (1992), Long & Killingley (1983), Neal & Cheeseman (1996), Pocock (1941a), Riffel (1991), Wozencraft (2005).