Banded linsang

The Bänderlinsang ( Prionodon linsang ) is a living in Southeast Asia carnivore species from the family of Linsangs ( Prionodontidae ).

Features

Bänderlinsangs are slender, elongated animals with a long tail and a long neck. Her short, soft fur is yellowish - white to white-gray colored, eponymous feature are the five rows of black spots on the back, which are usually grown together band-like. On the neck there are two wide black stripes, the flanks and the outer side of the upper arms and thighs are dotted. The tail is densely hairy and with seven to nine dark rings. The snout is pointed, the ears are rounded. The dentition is adapted to the cutting of meat and cat-like, the rear molars are degenerated. The feet have five toes, which carry retractable claws. Bänderlinsangs reach a body length from 38 to 45 centimeters, the tail is 33 to 38 centimeters, only slightly shorter than the trunk. The weight is 0.6 to 0.8 kg, with the males being slightly larger than females.

Distribution and habitat

Bänderlinsangs live on the Malay Peninsula from the south of Myanmar and Thailand to the mainland part of Malaysia as well as on the islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java including smaller offshore islands. Their habitat is tropical rain forests in the first place, they can be found from sea level up to 2700 meters above sea level.

Way of life

These animals are mainly nocturnal. They are good climbers and often stay on the trees, sometimes they come but also on the ground in search of food. They sleep in nests they build in tree cavities or hollow logs on the ground and lining with leaves. Little is known about the social behavior, presumably they live solitary. The spot is marked with urine and feces, they also rub their shoulders, neck and flanks on objects to leave their scent trails.

They are carnivorous, their diet includes rodents, lizards, frogs, birds and insects. Smaller prey animals are killed with a bite to the neck, with several larger bite while they are packed with the forepaws in the head.

Once a year, the female gives birth February to August two pups. At birth These weigh around 40 grams and have approximately the same coloration as adults. After four months they are fully grown. While young males leave their mother after weaning, young females remain until the onset of puberty in her. Life expectancy may be in captivity for over 10 years.

Threat

It is not known to what extent Bänderlinsangs can survive in partially deforested areas and secondary forests is therefore also uncertain how aufwirken the clearing of forests on the populations of these animals. Previously, the animals were hunted for their fur, they are now protected in a large part of their range. Area, the stocks have declined, overall the species is IUCN figures widespread and not in danger.