Biology:Bornean Ferret Badger
| Bornean Ferret Badger | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Melogale |
| Species: | M. everetti
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melogale everetti (Thomas, 1895)
| |
| |
| Bornean Ferret Badger range | |
The Bornean Ferret Badger (Melogale everetti), also known as Everett's ferret-badger or the Kinabalu ferret-badger, is a member of the family Mustelidae. The scientific name commemorates British colonial administrator and zoological collector Alfred Hart Everett.
It is nocturnal and mostly carnivorous but may eat some plants; with their diet including insects, snails, earthworms, lizards, small birds and rats (including carcasses) and fruit. Given its varied diet, it was recorded foraging in a small roadside dump site in 2003. The only known conservation measures are that it is protected by Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 as "Melogale personata" and it occurs in Kinabalu Park.[citation needed]
Description
The Bornean Ferret Badger is covered by fur that ranges in colour from grey-brown to dark black, with its underside covered by a lighter coloured fur. The most recognisable and defining characteristic of this species of ferret badger is the “ferret-like mask”[2] pattern of colouration on its face, that is either white or yellow.[2] This species is also distinguishable from other ferret badgers by a dorsal stripe that runs from the top of its head to the bottom of its shoulders,[3] which ranges in colour from white to red.[2]
The Bornean Ferret Badger is characteristic of ferret badgers, as it has short legs and broad feet. Its feet are equipped with strong digging claws, as well as with ridges that run along the pads of the feet and partial webbing between the toes that are believed to be climbing adaptations.[2]
Size
The Bornean Ferret Badger is small and long compared to the other members of the Melogale genus.[4] In general, it can weigh as little as 1 kg (2.20 lb) and as much as 3 kg (6.61 lb).[2] The body of the Bornean Ferret Badger is between 33 cm (12.99 in) and 44 cm (17.32 in) long, with a long, bushy tail that can be between 15.2 cm (5.98 in) and 23 cm (9.05 in) in length.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The Bornean Ferret Badger is endemic to the Island of Borneo and has a very restricted distribution range on the island.[5] Its distribution is limited to the Northern part of the island, specifically Kinabalu Park, Crocker Range National Park and the surrounding area. This includes the adjacent districts of Penampang, Tambunan and Tuaran in Sabah. A limited number of survey efforts have been conducted in montane forests in northeast Kalimantan, Sarawak and southern Sabah, but there is currently no evidence that the ferret badger inhabits these regions.[6][7]
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the Bornean Ferret Badger as Endangered,[5] due to its estimated extent of occurrence of approximately 4,200 km2 (1,622 mi2).[6] The small distribution range of the Bornean Ferret Badger is fragmented by roads that run through the national parks, such as the main East-West Sabah highway. In total the area of occupancy of the ferret badger is even smaller than its distribution range, totalling only 1,100 km2 (425 mi2).[6]
The habitat of the Bornean Ferret Badger is predominantly evergreen and montane forests.[6] Although, they have also been observed in surrounding scrubland and slash and burn agriculture fields.[5] They inhabit upland and highland forests, with all recorded sightings occurring between 500m (1640 ft) and 3000m (9843 ft) of elevation.[8][9]
Population
Very little is known about the size and status of the Bornean Ferret Badger’s population. In the late 1960s to early 1970s 57 specimens were collected, and are now displayed in the Sabah Museum.[6] Most recorded sightings of the Bornean Ferret Badger have been of individuals,[9] making population estimates practically impossible. Two camera-trapping studies have been conducted within the distribution range of the ferret badger. The first camera-trap survey in Crocker Range Park detected the Bornean Ferret Badger at a much lower rate than other similar-sized carnivores in the area.[6] A separate survey in 2016 concluded the direct opposite, stating that the Bornean Ferret Badger “may be among the most numerous small carnivore species” in the area.[5] These studies have also concluded that detection rates are not necessarily reflective of the abundance of a species in a habitat.
Behaviour
The Bornean Ferret Badger is “believed to be nocturnal and ground-dwelling”.[6] However, they are also known to be formidable climbers and have been observed foraging in trees.[2] While little is known about its specific diet,[6] it is an omnivore that forages on the ground for invertebrates, amphibians, insects, fruit, and carrion.[2] It has also been observed that they eat earthworms.[7]
The Bornean Ferret Badger due to its nocturnal nature is mainly active at night, as well as at dusk. It spends most of its time at night foraging for food and when it is not foraging the Bornean Ferret Badger lives in a burrow. Despite its strong digging ability, the Bornean Ferret Badger does not dig its own burrow. Instead, it lives in pre-existing burrows dug by other animals.[2]
The Bornean Ferret Badger is known to exhibit fierce behaviour when it is provoked or cornered. It exhibits the warning colouration of its masked face and dorsal stripe to scare potential predators. It has also been known to emit a pungent odour from its scent glands, not too dissimilar to the behaviour of a skunk.[2]
Reproduction
The breeding season of the Bornean Ferret Badger is relatively long and occurs annually, as females are able to reproduce at all times throughout the year. Male ferret badgers undergo a period of non-reproduction every year, from September to December. During this period of time the males cease sperm production.[2]
The gestation period of female ferret badgers is between 57 and 80 days, with young normally being born in May and June. Female Bornean Ferret Badgers give birth to litters of between 1 and 5 offspring. The offspring are weaned and cared for by their mother for between 2 and 3 months in a burrow, until they are able to forage for themselves.[2]
Threats
Natural threats
The major natural threats to the Bornean Ferret Badger are all linked to the very small distribution range of its population (4,200 km2)[6] and its concentration in a single forest environment. This makes it vulnerable to large scale, unpredictable events such as epidemics or natural disasters. An epidemic within the species is a serious threat to its population, as it is concentrated in one area with no separation between population groups. Similarly, the Island of Borneo experiences an extreme monsoon season and occasionally typhoons, that could potentially eliminate the ferret badger population.[6][8]
Anthropogenic (man-made) threats
Climate change is also likely to negatively impact the Bornean Ferret Badger population. Climate change increases the likelihood of extreme and unpredictable natural events that threatened the ferret badger. It will also have negative impacts on the Bornean Ferret Badger population, as higher temperatures result in upslope range shifts. Species such as the Bornean Ferret Badger that already live at high altitudes are unable to move upwards, which could result in extinction.[6]
Human encroachment on the Bornean Ferret Badger’s habitat and habitat degradation is another significant threat to the ferret badger population. Kinabalu Park and Crocker Range National Park are well-protected from human activities, however surrounding habitat has been converted into slash-and-burn agriculture.[5] Declining incident records (such as road-kills) suggests that the Bornean Ferret Badger’s population is already being harmed by the increasing human encroachment on its habitat.[6]
References
- ↑ Wilting, A.; Duckworth, J.W.; Hearn, A.; Ross, J. (2015). "Melogale everetti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T13110A45199541. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/13110/45199541. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Edmison, Nicole (2003). "Melogale Everetti (Everett's Ferret-Badger)". https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Melogale_everetti/.
- ↑ "Ferret-Badgers – Genuine Mustelids" (in en-US). https://www.genuinemustelids.org/family/ferret-badgers/.
- ↑ Storz, Jay; Wozencraft, Chris (1999). "Melogale Moschata". Mammalian Species (Oxford University Press) 631: 1-4. https://academic.oup.com/mspecies/article/doi/10.2307/3504333/2600464?login=true.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Nagano, Hidemi (2019). "Habitat Use of Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale Everetti In Sabah, Malaysian Borneo". Small Carnivore Conservation 57: 25-33. https://www.iges.or.jp/en/publication_documents/pub/peer/en/6850/58792b3b529fdaa056d2cd458f3ebd0a+%281%29.pdf.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Group, William Duckworth (IUCN SSC Small Carnivore Specialist; Group), IUCN SSC Deer Specialist; Hearn (WildCRU), Andrew; Ross (WildCRU), Joanna; Research), Andreas Wilting (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife (2015-03-03). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Melogale everetti". https://www.iucnredlist.org/en.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Wong, Anna (2011). "A Record of The Little-Known Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale Everetti At Gunung Alab, Sabah, Malaysia". Small Carnivore Conservation 45: 23-25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291505770_A_record_of_the_little-known_Bornean_Ferret_Badger_Melogale_everetti_at_Gunung_Alab_Sabah_Malaysia.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Wilting, Andreas (2016). "Predicted Distribution of The Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale Everetti (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) On Borneo". Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 33: 55-60. https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/app/uploads/2017/06/S33rbz055-060.pdf.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Boonratana, Ramesh (2010). "Sighting of The Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale Everetti In The Kinabatangan Floodplains, And Implications Of Its Lowland Distribution". Small Carnivore Conservation 42: 22-24. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ramesh-Boonratana/publication/313522039_Sighting_of_the_Bornean_Ferret_Badger_Melogale_everetti_in_the_Kinabatangan_floodplains_and_implications_of_its_lowland_distribution/links/59ad059baca272f8a15c68d4/Sighting-of-the-Bornean-Ferret-Badger-Melogale-everetti-in-the-Kinabatangan-floodplains-and-implications-of-its-lowland-distribution.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q690765 entry
 |
