Ferret-badger
Genus of carnivores
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Explore on Lably
ToursExplore Lably’s 3D tours- Bornean ferret-badger (Melogale everetti)
- Chinese ferret-badger (Melogale moschata)
- Formosan ferret-badger (Melogale subaurantiaca)
- Javan ferret-badger (Melogale orientalis)
- Burmese ferret-badger (Melogale personata)
- Vietnam ferret-badger (Melogale cucphuongensis)
Description and etymology
The genus was described in 1931 by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (as Mélogale) with Melogale personata as its sole member. Sainte-Hilaire chose the genus name, which he translated to "belette blaireau" ("badger weasel") after the animal's resemblance to those other mustelids. He described M. personata as having a weasel-like shape but likened its head, claws, hair, and coloration to those of a badger (genus Meles). Sainte-Hilaire described M. personata as belonging to a distinct genus on the basis of its long, cone-shaped head.
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Human impact
The ferret-badger's impact on humans is through the spread of rabies. This has been documented in Taiwan and China but lack of prior documentation and research on ferret-badgers has proven a roadblock.