Hog badger

Hog badger ( Arctonyx collaris )

The pig or giant badger ( Arctonyx collaris ) is a predatory species of the subfamily of badgers ( Melinae ) within the marten family ( Mustelidae ). It is found only in Asia.

Features

Generally similar to the European badger hog badgers, but differ in the snout, which is formed into a pig -like, hairless snout. While the throat is black, however, the European badger, that of the hog badger is white. The hog badger also has conspicuous black cheek-stripe.

The coloring of his back fur varies from yellowish-gray to black, the belly is as black as the feet. They have black stripes from the nose to the ears and the neck in the otherwise whitish face, white are also the ears, the throat and the tail. Another difference from the European badger is located in the highly elongated, curved claws that are white in contrast to this. These animals can reach a body length of about 55 to 70 centimeters, a tail length of 12-17 centimeters and a weight of 7-14 kg.

Distribution and habitat

Hog badgers live in East and Southeast Asia, their range extends from northern China and eastern India to the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra. Their habitat are primarily forests, both rain forests and mountain forests up to 3500 meters altitude.

Way of life

Hog badgers are crepuscular or nocturnal, they spend the day in crevices or self-dug Building. Little is known about their social behavior, presumably they live solitary. From November to February or March they spend the winter rest.

Food

These animals are omnivores, which is similar to the pigs dig through the ground looking for food with her ​​trunk. They consume both worms, insects and larvae, as well as roots, mushrooms and fruits.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in May, due to a dormancy occurs only in February or March for the birth, the actual gestation period should be about six weeks. The litter size is three to five. The young are weaned at four months and eight months reached full size.

Threats

Among the natural enemies of the pig badger include tigers, leopards and other large carnivores. His defense measures include the threatening setting up the hair and spraying a foul-smelling secretion of the anal gland. If necessary, he defends himself with his long claws.

Among the threats posed by people who count hunting and loss of habitat through deforestation. But pig badgers are not an endangered species.