Gourt > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Animalia > Chordata > Mammalia > Carnivora > Mustelidae (5)
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 ]
needs to be bee'd with.
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:52:28 -0000
needs to be bee'd with.
is standing by for pumpkin-flavoured season. (Yes!)
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:11:54 -0000
is standing by for pumpkin-flavoured season. (Yes!)
@Utlah Why not make a Mustelidae pact! A fair few otters... plus @Deezlberries is helping the ferrety cause!
tungro (Tungro) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:57:07 -0000
@Utlah Why not make a Mustelidae pact! A fair few otters... plus @Deezlberries is helping the ferrety cause!
stoats rock: http://bit.ly/109ddZ i do love a mustelidae
thelrm (morag) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:47:41 -0000
stoats rock: http://bit.ly/109ddZ i do love a mustelidae
New Word: Arctonyx stands for a genus of Mustelidae - http://bit.ly/Qatbk #dictionary
endictionary (stand for) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:20:02 -0000
New Word: Arctonyx stands for a genus of Mustelidae - http://bit.ly/Qatbk #dictionary
@swingmatism That sounds like some gay porn stuff.
Mustelidae (Calico Goodrich) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:58:11 -0000
@swingmatism That sounds like some gay porn stuff.
500
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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