Burmese ferret-badger

Burma -badger ( Melogale personata )

The Burma -badger ( Melogale personata ) is a species of the genus sun badgers. It can be found on the Southeast Asian mainland.

Features

The different types of sun badgers see each other all quite similar. The Burma -badger reaches a body length of 35 to 40 cm, the tail measures 15 to 21 cm. The animals weigh about 1.5-3 kg and have a relatively lean physique. The muzzle is like other sun badgers also relatively long, the teeth, however, are somewhat larger than in other species of the genus. The coat color of the Burma - sun badger varies oberseits between light brown and dark brown, the sides are bright mottled. The white dorsal stripe that starts at the head, extending in this way is usually up to the middle of the body, usually even to also bright tail. The head is decorated with a black-and- white pattern, throat and chest are white.

Subspecies and distribution

Sometimes the Java sun roof and the Borneo -badger be regarded as forms of the Burma - sun badger. Apart from this distinction is three subspecies, M. p. personata from the area between the north-eastern India and Südmyanmar or Thailand, M. p. nipalensis from Nepal, and M. p. pierrei from Cambodia, southern China, Laos and Vietnam.

Way of life

Little is known about the life of Burma sun badger. The animals live in forests, grasslands and cultivated land. They eat insects, worms, snails, small mammals, lizards, frogs, birds, fruits, nuts and eggs. The nocturnal animals rest during the day in burrows or rock crevices. Mostly, Burma sun Badgers hold on to the floor, but they also seem to be able to climb well. It is believed that they are mainly solitary. The boys are apparently usually born in May or June, with a proven litter can consist of up to three pups.

Stock

Little is known about the inventory situation. In the north of its range in Laos and Vietnam, the animals can be confused with Chinese solar badgers, which provides, in addition to low data availability for confusion.