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Mustelidae (from Latin mustela, weasel) is a family of carnivorous mammals. Many kinds of mustelids are maligned by some humans. However, Mustelidae is among the most successful and diverse families in order Carnivora. Mustelids range from the Least weasel, not much larger than a mouse, which can live in the high Arctic; to the wolverine, a 50 pound (23 kg) animal that can dispatch reindeer, crush bones as thick as the femur of a moose to get at the marrow, and has been known to drive bears from kills; to the ratel, which has a unique symbiosis with a bird called the honey guide bird; to the tropical, largely fruit-eating tayra; to the aquatic otters. Other mustelids include mink, badgers, weasels, polecats, zorilla, and martens.
Mustelidae is one of the most species-rich families in order Carnivora, as well as one of the older ones. Mustelid-like forms have existed for the past 40 million years and roughly coincided with the appearance of rodents.
Several members of the family are aquatic to varying degrees, ranging from the semi-aquatic mink, the river otters, and the highly aquatic sea otter. The Sea otter is also the only non-primate mammal known to use a tool while foraging. It uses "anvil" stones to crack open the shellfish that form a significant part of its diet. It is a "keystone species," keeping its prey populations in balance so some do not outcompete the others and they do not destroy the kelp in which they live.
More on [ Mustelidae ]
is meloncholy.
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:41:56 -0000
is meloncholy.
Should You Keep a Wild Ferret?- A species from the Mustelidae family, the closest cousins to ferrets are badgers, o... http://bit.ly/5rljKV
chunian (Chunian) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:45:39 -0000
Should You Keep a Wild Ferret?- A species from the Mustelidae family, the closest cousins to ferrets are badgers, o... http://bit.ly/5rljKV
Who can doubt that I've chosen the perfect name?: www.calicocheesecakes.com
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:58:09 -0000
Who can doubt that I've chosen the perfect name?: www.calicocheesecakes.com
@swingmatism Yes! yesyesyes!
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:25:36 -0000
@swingmatism Yes! yesyesyes!
is feeling girded, going to the century tonight.
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:06:59 -0000
is feeling girded, going to the century tonight.
the Mustelidae that make up the ny male media circle jerk shouldn't bite the hand of the cheetah that feeds...
thebalcony (Statler and Waldorf) Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:09:45 -0000
the Mustelidae that make up the ny male media circle jerk shouldn't bite the hand of the cheetah that feeds...
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European Polecat, Mustela putorius - Population genetics, feeding tactics, home range, activity, conservation and a bibliography with online abstracts.
Mustelidae - The mustelids are by far the largest family of Carnivora, including weasels, stoats, polecats, ferrets, mink, marten, fishers, tayras, wolverines, grisons, badgers, skunks, otters, and others.
Mustelidae - Articles and links for many different species from Suite101.
Meta Description: [ Examine the world of the Mulstelids. Find out who belongs to this amazing family. ]
Pine Marten - Information about Martes martes, an endangered species.
Meta Description: [ pine marten , The Pine Marten website is all about this rare endangered mammal of Scotland ]
Wolverine Foundation - Information about the status and ecological role of the Wolverine (Gulo gulo).
Meta Description: [ Non-profit organization directed at the support and initiation of research and dissemination of information relative to wolverine (Gulo gulo). ]
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