Biota Reference Libraries
The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is a small carnivorous North American mammal closely related to the Steppe Polecat of Russia. It is a member of the diverse family Mustelidae which also includes weasels, mink, polecats, martens, otters, and badgers. It should not be confused with the domesticated ferret. The black-footed ferret is an endangered mammal in North America, according...
The Least Weasel, Mustela nivalis, is the smallest member of the weasel genus, Mustela and indeed the smallest living carnivore. Habitat The least weasel is found throughout the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America, except for Ireland and eastern Canada. It extends as far south as North Africa. It has been introduced into New Zealand. The North American population was...
The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the short-tailed weasel or the wild otter, is a small mammal of the family Mustelidae. The stoat is an opportunistic carnivore and grows up to 11.81 in (30 cm) long. It eats rabbits and rodents such as the mouse, vole and rats and other small mammals. It also eats birds, their eggs, and young. They sometimes eat fish, reptiles, amphibians, and...
The Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), also known as the polar fox, is a small fox native to cold Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is common in all three tundra biomes. Although some authorities have suggested placing it in the genus Vulpes, it has long been considered the sole member of the genus Alopex. The Arctic fox has smaller, more rounded ears, a more rounded braincase. It has a...
The corsac fox (Vulpes corsac) is a species of fox. Range and habitat This fox lives in the steppes and semi-desert of central and northeast Asia. They are found in large area of central Asia including Turkistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, Transbaikalia, northern Manchuria and parts of Russia. Physical appearance It is gray to gray-red in color with silver undertones. It has...
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most familiar of the foxes. In Britain and Ireland, where there are no longer any other native wild canids, it is referred to simply as the "Fox". It has the widest range not just of any fox but also of any terrestrial carnivore. As its name suggests, its fur is predominantly reddish-brown, but there is a naturally occurring grey morph. Distribution The...
The African Civet is a common viverrid that ranges across tropical Africa. Unlike many other members of the family, the African Civet resembles a short dog-like animal. Its coarse coat varies but is usually an ornate pattern of black and white contrasting bands and blotches. It has a white facemask and black eye patches (like that of a raccoon) and a pale muzzle. The African Civet ranges...
The ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans) is a Euplerid that lives on the island of Madagascar. Although it is called a "mongoose", it is really a closer relative to the fossa. The ring-tailed mongoose is relatively small. It is 12.5 to 15 in (32 to 38 cm) long and weighs only 24 to 32 oz (700 to 900 g). Its body is long and slender, and the rounded head has a pointed snout. The body is a...
The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is a mammal native to the island of Madagascar. It is sometimes said to resemble a cross between a dog and cat. It is actually more closely related to the mongoose. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island. Anatomy Male fossas are 29 to 31 in (75 to 80 cm) long, plus a tail that is 27 to 35 in (70 to 90 cm) long. They weigh 13 to 22 lb (6 to 10...
Crawford's Gray Shrew, Notiosorex crawfordi, is a small shrew that can be found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is a member of the Order Soricomorpha and the Family Soricidae. Crawford's Gray Shrew is one of the smallest desert mammals and one of the world's smallest homoiotherms. When fully grown it will only grow to a size of about one and a half to two inches...
