The
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger (Taxidea taxus)[n 1] is a North American badger,
somewhat similar in appearance to the European badger. It is found in
the western and central United States, northern Mexico, and
south-central
Canada
.svg/250px-Flag_of_Canada_(Pantone).svg.png)
Canada to certain areas of southwestern British
Columbia.
American badger's habitat is typefied by open grasslands with
available prey (such as mice, squirrels, and groundhogs). The species
prefers areas such as prairie regions with sandy loam soils where it
can dig more easily for its prey.
Contents
1 Taxonomy
2 Description
3 Diet
4 Behavior
5 Life cycle
6 Habitat
6.1 Plant communities
6.2 Cover requirements
7 Predation
8 Conservation status
9 Notes
10 References
11 Cited sources
12 Further reading
13 External links
Taxonomy[edit]
The
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger is a member of the Mustelidae, a diverse family of
carnivorous mammals that also includes the weasel, otter, ferret, and
wolverine.[4] The
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger belongs to the Taxidiinae, one of
three subfamilies of badgers – the other two being the Melinae (9
species, including the Eurasian badger) and the Mellivorinae (honey
badger). The American badger's closest relative is the prehistoric
Chamitataxus.
Recognized subspecies include: the nominate subspecies T. t. taxus,
found in central
Canada
.svg/250px-Flag_of_Canada_(Pantone).svg.png)
Canada and central US; T. t. jacksoni, found in the
southern
Great Lakes

Great Lakes region including southern Ontario; T. t.
jeffersoni, in British Columbia and the western US; and T. t.
berlandieri, in the southwestern US and northern Mexico.[5][6][7]
Ranges of subspecies overlap considerably, with intermediate forms
occurring in the areas of overlap.
In Mexico, this animal is sometimes called tlalcoyote. The Spanish
word for badger is tejón, but in
Mexico

Mexico this word is also used to
describe the coati. This can lead to confusion, as both coatis and
badgers are found in Mexico.
Description[edit]
Adult female
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger (sow)
The
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger has most of the general characteristics common to
badgers; with stocky and low-slung bodies with short, powerful legs,
they are identifiable by their huge foreclaws (measuring up to
5 cm in length) and distinctive head markings. Measuring
generally between 60 and 75 cm (23.5 and 29.5 in) in length,
males of the species are slightly larger than females. They may attain
an average weight of roughly 6.3 to 7.2 kg (14 to 16 lb) for
females and up to 8.6 kg (19 lb) for males. Northern
subspecies such as T. t. jeffersonii are heavier than the southern
subspecies. In the fall, when food is plentiful, adult male badgers
can reach up to 11.5 to 15 kg (25 to 33 lb).[8][9][10][11]
In some northern populations, females can average 9.5 kg
(21 lb).[12]
American badger
Except for the head, the
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger is covered with a grizzled,
brown, black and white coat of coarse hair or fur, giving almost a
mixed brown-tan appearance. The coat aids in camouflage in grassland
habitat. Its triangular face shows a distinctive black and white
pattern, with brown or blackish "badges" marking the cheeks and a
white stripe extending from the nose to the base of the head. In the
subspecies T. t. berlandieri, the white head stripe extends the full
length of the body, to the base of the tail.[13]
Diet[edit]
American
Badger

Badger Skull
The
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger is a fossorial carnivore. It preys predominantly
on pocket gophers (Geomyidae), ground squirrels (Spermophilus), moles
(Talpidae), marmots (Marmota), prairie dogs (Cynomys), pika
(Ochotona), woodrats (Neotoma), kangaroo rats (Dipodomys), deer mice
(Peromyscus), and voles (Microtus), often digging to pursue prey into
their dens, and sometimes plugging tunnel entrances with objects.[14]
The
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger is a significant predator of snakes including
rattlesnakes, and is considered the most important predator of
rattlesnakes in South Dakota.[15] They also prey on ground-nesting
birds, such as the bank swallow or sand martin (Riparia riparia) and
burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), and lizards, amphibians, carrion,
fish, skunks (Mephitis and Spilogale), insects, including bees and
honeycomb, and some plant foods such as corn (Zea mais), peas, green
beans, mushrooms and other fungi, and sunflower seeds (Helianthus).
Behavior[edit]
Badger

Badger forepaw with long, sharp claws. Primarily used for digging.
American badgers are generally nocturnal; however, in remote areas
with no human encroachment they are routinely observed foraging during
the day. Seasonally, a badger observed during daylight hours in the
Spring months of late March to early May often represents a female
foraging during daylight and spending nights with her young. Badgers
do not hibernate but may become less active in winter. A badger may
spend much of the winter in cycles of torpor that last around 29
hours. They do emerge from their burrows when the temperature is above
freezing.[6]
An abandoned badger burrow may be occupied by mammals of similar size,
such as foxes and skunks, as well as animals as diverse as the
burrowing owl,
California

California
Tiger

Tiger Salamander and
California

California Red-Legged
Frog. The American
Badger

Badger has been seen working with a coyote in
tandem while hunting. Typically this pairing is one badger to one
coyote, however, one study found about 9% of sightings included two
coyotes to one badger, while 1% had one badger to three coyotes.
Researchers have found that the coyote benefits by an increased catch
rate of about 33%, and while it is difficult to see precisely how the
badger benefits, the badger has been noted to spend more time
underground and active. Badgers are also thought to expend less energy
while hunting in burrows. According to research, this partnership
works due to the different hunting styles of the predators and how
they prey reacts to them. A ground squirrel, upon spotting a coyote,
will crawl into its hole to escape; while upon seeing a badger, the
ground squirrel will climb out of its hole and use its speed to out
run the badger. Hunting in tandem raises the prey vulnerability and
both predators win.[16][17][18]
Life cycle[edit]
Badgers are normally solitary animals, but are thought to expand their
territories in the breeding season to seek out mates. Mating occurs in
late summer and early fall, with some males breeding with more than
one female. American badgers experience delayed implantation, with
pregnancies suspended until December or as late as February. Young are
born from late March to early April[6] in litters ranging from one to
five young,[19] averaging about three.[20]
Badgers are born blind, furred, and helpless.[6] Eyes open at four to
six weeks. The female feeds her young solid foods prior to complete
weaning, and for a few weeks thereafter.[20] Young American badgers
first emerge from the den on their own at five to six weeks
old.[19][21] Families usually break up and juveniles disperse from the
end of June to August; young American badgers leave their mothers as
early as late May or June.[21] Juvenile dispersal movements are
erratic.[19]
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
Most female American badgers become pregnant for the first time after
they are a year old. A minority of females four to five months old
ovulate and a few become pregnant. Males usually do not breed until
their second year.[6]
Large predators occasionally kill American badgers.[19] The average
longevity in the wild is 9–10 years, with a record of 14;[22] a
captive example lived at least 15 years and five months.[19]
Habitat[edit]
American badgers prefer grasslands and open areas with grasslands,
which can include parklands, farms, and treeless areas with friable
soil and a supply of rodent prey.[23][24] They may also be found in
forest glades and meadows, marshes, brushy areas, hot deserts, and
mountain meadows. They are sometimes found at elevations up to 12,000
feet (3,700 m) but are usually found in the Sonoran and
Transition life zones (which are at elevations lower and warmer than
those characterized by coniferous forests).[20] In Arizona, they occur
in desert scrub and semidesert grasslands.[25] In California, American
badgers are primarily able to survive through a combination of open
grasslands of agricultural lands, protected land trust and open space
lands, and even regional and state and national park lands with
grassland habitat. The Sonoma County badger population includes some
protected and private lands near the Sonoma Coast, as well as one in
South Sonoma County fragilely surviving in spite of abundant prey due
to fragmentation. Badgers are occasionally found in open chaparral
(with less than 50% plant cover) and riparian zones. They are not
usually found in mature chaparral.[26] In Manitoba aspen parklands,
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger abundance was positively associated with the abundance
of Richardson's ground squirrels (
Spermophilus

Spermophilus richardsonii).[27] In
Ontario it primarily resides on the extreme southwestern portion of
the province, restricted to the north shore of Lake Erie in open areas
generally associated with agriculture and along woodland edges. There
have been a few reports from the Bruce-Grey region.[28]
Badgers can be found in the sagebrush deserts of eastern Oregon.
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger use of home range varies with season and sex.
Different areas of the home range are used more frequently at
different seasons and usually are related to prey availability. Males
generally have larger home ranges than females. In a study almost 40
years ago, radiotransmitter-tagged American badgers had an average
annual home range of 2,100 acres (850 hectares). The home range of one
female was 1,790 acres (720 hectares) in summer, 131 acres (53
hectares) in fall, and 5 acres (2.0 hectares) in winter.[29] Lindzey
reported average home ranges of 667 to 1,550 acres (270 to
627 ha).[30] Estimated density of American badgers in Utah
scrub-steppe was one per square mile (2.6 km2), with 10 dens in
active or recent use.[6]
As of 2014, overdevelopment of American
Badger

Badger habitat had resulted in
reduced range, decreased prey, and forced badgers into contact with
man foraging between fragments. Direct observations in Sonoma County,
documenting habitat and badger sightings and foraging, reflect various
ranges within the fragmented habitat areas from less than 1/2 mile to
approximately 4 miles. Within these areas, the availability of prey
and a fresh water source are key factors for the preferred habitat
areas and ability to survive. Identifying and conserving habitat areas
where there is year-round activity, along with identified burrowing
patterns and observations of female badger territory for birthing and
raising young have become critical factors in survival of the species.
Plant communities[edit]
American badgers are most commonly found in treeless areas, including
tallgrass and shortgrass prairies, grass-dominated meadows and fields
within forested habitats, and shrub-steppe communities. In the
Southwest, plant indicators of the Sonoran and Transition life zones
(relatively low, dry elevations) commonly associated with American
badgers include creosotebush (Larrea tridentata), junipers (Juniperus
spp.), gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), willows (Salix spp.),
cottonwoods (
Populus

Populus spp.), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), grasses,
and sagebrushes (Artemisia spp.).[20]
In Colorado in 1977, American badgers were common in grass–forb and
ponderosa pine habitats.[31] In Kansas, they are common in tallgrass
prairie dominated by big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), little
bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indian grass (Sorghastrum
nutans).[32] In Montana 24 years ago, badgers were present in Glacier
National Park in fescue (Festuca spp.) grasslands.[33] In Manitoba,
they occur in grassland extensions within aspen (
Populus

Populus spp.)
parklands.[27]
Cover requirements[edit]
American badgers require cover for sleep, concealment, protection from
weather, and natal denning. They typically enlarge foraged out gopher
or other prey holes, or other animal burrows. Their dens range from
about 4 feet to 10 feet in depth and 4 feet to 6 feet in width. A
female American
Badger

Badger may create 2 to 4 burrows in proximity with a
connecting tunnel for concealment and safety for her young. Displaced
soil from digging out the burrow characteristically appears in front
of the burrow entrance, and a view from a distance reveals a
mound-like roof of the burrow, with the living and concealment space
created underneath the raised-roof appearing mound.
During summer and autumn, badgers range more frequently, with mating
season generally in November, and burrowing patterns reflect 1 to 3
burrows may be dug from foraged out prey holes in a day, used for a
day to a week, and then abandoned, with possible returns later, and
other small wildlife utilizing abandoned burrows in the interim. Where
prey is particularly plentiful, they will reuse dens,[20] especially
in the fall, sometimes for a few days at a time. In winter, a single
den may be used for most of the season.[6] Natal dens are dug by the
female and are used for extended periods, but litters may be moved,
probably to allow the mother to forage in new areas close to the
nursery. Natal dens are usually larger and more complex than diurnal
dens.[19]
Predation[edit]
While the
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger is an aggressive animal with few natural
enemies it is still vulnerable to other species in its habitat.
Predation on smaller individuals by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos),
coyotes,[6] cougars (Puma concolor), and bobcats (
Lynx

Lynx rufus) have
been reported.[34] Bears (Ursus spp.) and gray wolves (
Canis

Canis lupus)
occasionally kill American badgers.[19]
American badgers are trapped by humans for their pelts. Their fur is
used for shaving and painting brushes.[2]
Conservation status[edit]
In May 2000, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed both the Taxidea
taxus jacksoni and the T. t. jeffersonii subspecies as an endangered
species in Canada.[35] The
California

California Department of Fish and Game
designated the
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger as a
California

California species of special
concern.[36]
Notes[edit]
^ It was formerly classified as part of the genus Meles as Meles
labradorica (Lat. "Labrador badger"),[2] then classified as Taxidea
americana (Lat. "American taxid" or "badger-like animal")[3]
References[edit]
^ Helgen, K. & Reid, F. (2016). "Taxidea taxus". The
IUCN

IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2016: e.T41663A45215410.
doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41663A45215410.en. Retrieved 10
November 2017.
^ a b EB (1878).
^ EB (1911).
^ Wozencraft, W.C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder,
D.M.
Mammal

Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference
(3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 619.
ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
^ "Taxidea". funet.fi. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
^ a b c d e f g h Long, Charles A. (1972). "Taxidea taxus" (PDF).
Journal of Mammalogy. 26 (26): 1–4. doi:10.2307/3504047.
JSTOR 3504047. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 July 2007.
Retrieved 2007-08-07.
^ Long, Charles A. (1972). "Taxonomic Revision of the North American
Badger, Taxidea taxus". Journal of Mammalogy. Journal of Mammalogy. 53
(4): 725–759. doi:10.2307/1379211. JSTOR 1379211.
^ Feldhamer, George A.; Bruce Carlyle Thompson; Joseph A. Chapman
(2003). Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and
Conservation. JHU Press. p. 683. ISBN 0-8018-7416-5.
^ Lindzey, Fred, BADGERS (1994). The Handbook: Prevention and Control
of Wildlife Damage. 28
^ Minta, S. C., Minta, K. A., & Lott, D. F. (1992). Hunting
associations between badgers (Taxidea taxus) and coyotes (Canis
latrans). Journal of Mammalogy, 73(4), 814-820.
^ Quinn, J. H. (2008). The ecology of the
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger Taxidea
taxus in California: assessing conservation needs on multiple scales.
University of California, Davis.
^ Harlow, H. J., Miller, B., Ryder, T., & Ryder, L. (1985). Energy
requirements for gestation and lactation in a delayed implanter, the
American badger. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A:
Physiology, 82(4), 885-889.
^ American Society of Mammalogists Staff; Smithsonian Institution
Staff (1999). The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. UBC
Press. p. 179. ISBN 0-7748-0762-8.
^ Michener, Gail R. (2004). "Hunting techniques and tool use by North
American badgers preying on Richardson's ground squirrels". Journal of
Mammalogy. 85 (5): 1019–1027. doi:10.1644/BNS-102.
JSTOR 1383835.
^ Klauber, Lawrence Monroe (1997). Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life
Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Volume 1. 2nd ed. Berkeley
(California): University of
California

California Press. p. 1076.
ISBN 0520210565.
^
https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/coyote-and-badger-hunt-together
^
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/coyotes-badgers-find-food1.htm
^
https://www.fws.gov/news/blog/index.cfm/2016/11/2/Spotted-A-Coyote-and-Badger
^ a b c d e f g Lindzey, Frederick G. (1982). "Badger: Taxidea taxus",
pp. 653–663 in Chapman, Joseph A.; Feldhamer, George A., eds. Wild
mammals of North America: Biology, management, and economics.
Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
ISBN 0801874165.
^ a b c d e Long, Charles A.; Killingley, Carl Arthur. (1983). The
badgers of the world. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publishing
^ a b Messick, John P.; Hornocker, Maurice G. (1981). "Ecology of the
Badger

Badger in Southwestern Idaho". Wildlife Monographs. 76 (76): 1–53.
JSTOR 3830719.
^ Lindsey, Frederick G. (1971). Ecology of badgers in Curlew Valley,
Utah and Idaho with emphasis on movement and activity patterns. Logan,
UT: Utah State University
^ Banfield, A. W. F. (1974). The mammals of Canada. Toronto, ON:
University of Toronto Press
^ de Vos, A. (1969). "Ecological conditions affecting the production
of wild herbivorous mammals on grasslands", pp. 137–179 in Advances
in ecological research. On file at U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire Sciences
Laboratory, Missoula, MT
^ Davis, Russell; Sidner, Ronnie. (1992). Mammals of woodland and
forest habitats in the Rincon Mountains of Saguaro National Monument,
Arizona. Technical Report NPS/WRUA/NRTR-92/06. Tucson, AZ: The
University of Arizona, School of Renewable Natural Resources,
Cooperative National Park esources Study Unit
^ Quinn, Ronald D. (1990). "Habitat preferences and distribution of
mammals in
California

California chaparral". Res. Pap. PSW-202. Berkeley, CA:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest
Research Station
^ a b Bird, Ralph D. (1930). "Biotic communities of the aspen parkland
of central Canada". Ecology. 11 (2): 356–442. doi:10.2307/1930270.
JSTOR 1930270.
^ "Ontario Badgers". ontariobadgers.org.
^ Sargeant, Alan B.; Warner, Dwain W. (1972). "Movements and denning
habits of a badger". Journal of Mammalogy. 53 (1): 207–210.
doi:10.2307/1378851.
^ Lindzey, Frederick G. (1978). "Movement patterns of badgers in
northwestern Utah". Journal of Wildlife Management. 42 (2): 418–422.
doi:10.2307/3800282. JSTOR 3800282.
^ Morris, Meredith J.; Reid, Vincent H.; Pillmore, Richard E.; Hammer,
Mary C. (1977). "Birds and mammals of Manitou Experimental Forest,
Colorado". Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-38. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range
Experiment.
^ Gibson, David J. (1989). "Effects of animal disturbance on tallgrass
prairie vegetation". American Midland Naturalist. 121 (1): 144–154.
doi:10.2307/2425665. JSTOR 2425665.
^ Tyser, Robin W. (1990). "Ecology of fescue grasslands in Glacier
National Park", pp. 59–60 in Boyce, Mark S.; Plumb, Glenn E. (eds.)
National Park Service Research Center, 14th annual report. Laramie,
WY: University of Wyoming, National Park Service Research Center.
^ Skinner, Scott (1990). "Earthmover". Wyoming Wildlife. 54 (2):
4–9.
^ "Species at Risk Act: List of Wildlife Species at Risk". Retrieved
14 March 2013.
^ "
Mammal

Mammal Species of
Special

Special Concern". dfg.ca.gov. Archived from the
original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
Cited sources[edit]
Baynes, T.S., ed. (1878), "Badger", Encyclopædia Britannica, 3
(9th ed.), New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, p. 227
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911), "Badger", Encyclopædia Britannica,
3 (11th ed.), Cambridge University Press, p. 188
This article incorporates public domain material from the
United States

United States Department of Agriculture document "Taxidea taxus".
Further reading[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to taxidea taxus.
Wikispecies

Wikispecies has information related to taxidea
Shefferly, N. 1999. "Taxidea taxus" (On-line),
Animal

Animal Diversity Web.
Accessed April 15, 2007 at University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Whitaker, John O. (1980-10-12). The Audubon Society Field Guide to
North American Mammals. Alfred A. Knopf. p. 745.
ISBN 0-394-50762-2.
External links[edit]
Ontario Badgers (information about the
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger and the
research of their endangered Ontario population)
Miller, Ira. "Montana
Animal

Animal Field Guide". Archived from the original
on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
Streube, Donald. "American Badger, Idaho Museum of Natural History".
Archived from the original on 4 August 2007. Retrieved
2007-08-04.
"American Badger, The University of Texas at El Paso". The University
of Texas at El Paso. Archived from the original on 2007-06-07.
Retrieved 2007-08-04.
Steve Jackson's badger page
Smithsonian Institution – North American Mammals: Taxidea taxus
v
t
e
Extant
Carnivora

Carnivora species
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Superorder: Laurasiatheria
Suborder Feliformia
Nandiniidae
Nandinia
African palm civet

African palm civet (N. binotata)
Herpestidae
(Mongooses)
Atilax
Marsh mongoose
.jpg/440px-Marsh_mongoose_or_water_mongoose,_Atilax_paludinosus,_at_Rietvlei_Nature_Reserve,_Gauteng,_South_Africa_(22548192738).jpg)
Marsh mongoose (A. paludinosus)
Bdeogale
Bushy-tailed mongoose

Bushy-tailed mongoose (B. crassicauda)
Jackson's mongoose

Jackson's mongoose (B. jacksoni)
Black-footed mongoose

Black-footed mongoose (B. nigripes)
Crossarchus
Alexander's kusimanse

Alexander's kusimanse (C. alexandri)
Angolan kusimanse

Angolan kusimanse (C. ansorgei)
Common kusimanse

Common kusimanse (C. obscurus)
Flat-headed kusimanse

Flat-headed kusimanse (C. platycephalus)
Cynictis
Yellow mongoose
.jpg/440px-Cynictis_penicillata_(Etosha,_2011).jpg)
Yellow mongoose (C. penicillata)
Dologale
Pousargues's mongoose

Pousargues's mongoose (D. dybowskii)
Galerella
Angolan slender mongoose

Angolan slender mongoose (G. flavescens)
Black mongoose

Black mongoose (G. nigrata)
Somalian slender mongoose

Somalian slender mongoose (G. ochracea)
Cape gray mongoose

Cape gray mongoose (G. pulverulenta)
Slender mongoose

Slender mongoose (G. sanguinea)
Helogale
Ethiopian dwarf mongoose

Ethiopian dwarf mongoose (H. hirtula)
Common dwarf mongoose
_(6002158282).jpg/480px-Dwarf_Mongoose_(Helogale_parvula)_(6002158282).jpg)
Common dwarf mongoose (H. parvula)
Herpestes
Short-tailed mongoose

Short-tailed mongoose (H. brachyurus)
Indian gray mongoose

Indian gray mongoose (H. edwardsii)
Indian brown mongoose

Indian brown mongoose (H. fuscus)
Egyptian mongoose

Egyptian mongoose (H. ichneumon)
Small Asian mongoose

Small Asian mongoose (H. javanicus)
Long-nosed mongoose

Long-nosed mongoose (H. naso)
Collared mongoose

Collared mongoose (H. semitorquatus)
Ruddy mongoose

Ruddy mongoose (H. smithii)
Crab-eating mongoose

Crab-eating mongoose (H. urva)
Stripe-necked mongoose

Stripe-necked mongoose (H. vitticollis)
Ichneumia
White-tailed mongoose
.JPG/440px-White-tailed_mongoose_(Ichneumia_albicauda).JPG)
White-tailed mongoose (I. albicauda)
Liberiictus
Liberian mongoose

Liberian mongoose (L. kuhni)
Mungos
Gambian mongoose

Gambian mongoose (M. gambianus)
Banded mongoose

Banded mongoose (M. mungo)
Paracynictis
Selous' mongoose

Selous' mongoose (P. selousi)
Rhynchogale
Meller's mongoose

Meller's mongoose (R. melleri)
Suricata
Meerkat
_Tswalu.jpg/500px-Meerkat_(Suricata_suricatta)_Tswalu.jpg)
Meerkat (S. suricatta)
Hyaenidae
(Hyenas)
Crocuta
Spotted hyena
.jpg/440px-Crocuta_crocuta_Ngorongoro_Crater_(2015).jpg)
Spotted hyena (C. crocuta)
Hyaena
Brown hyena
_(6472926331).jpg/440px-Brown_Hyena_(Parahyaena_brunnea)_(6472926331).jpg)
Brown hyena (H. brunnea)
Striped hyena

Striped hyena (H. hyaena)
Proteles
Aardwolf

Aardwolf (P. cristatus)
Felidae
Large family listed below
Viverridae
Large family listed below
Eupleridae
Small family listed below
Family Felidae
Felinae
Acinonyx
Cheetah
_(8292038736).jpg/440px-Female_Cheetah_(Acynonyx_jubatus)_(8292038736).jpg)
Cheetah (A. jubatus)
Caracal
Caracal
,_Paris,_décembre_2013.jpg/440px-Caracl_(01),_Paris,_décembre_2013.jpg)
Caracal (C. caracal)
African golden cat

African golden cat (C. aurata)
Catopuma
Bay cat

Bay cat (C. badia)
Asian golden cat

Asian golden cat (C. temminckii)
Felis
European wildcat

European wildcat (F. silvestris)
African wildcat

African wildcat (F. lybica)
Jungle cat

Jungle cat (F. chaus)
Black-footed cat

Black-footed cat (F. nigripes)
Sand cat

Sand cat (F. margarita)
Chinese mountain cat
_in_XiNing_Wild_Zoo.jpg/440px-Chinese_Mountain_Cat_(Felis_Bieti)_in_XiNing_Wild_Zoo.jpg)
Chinese mountain cat (F. bieti)
Domestic cat (F. catus)
Leopardus
Ocelot

Ocelot (L. pardalis)
Margay

Margay (L. wiedii)
Pampas cat

Pampas cat (L. colocola)
Geoffroy's cat

Geoffroy's cat (L. geoffroyi)
Kodkod

Kodkod (L. guigna)
Andean mountain cat

Andean mountain cat (L. jacobita)
Oncilla

Oncilla (L. tigrinus)
Southern tigrina

Southern tigrina (L. guttulus)
Leptailurus
Serval

Serval (L. serval)
Lynx
Canadian lynx (L. canadensis)
Eurasian lynx

Eurasian lynx (L. lynx)
Iberian lynx

Iberian lynx (L. pardinus)
Bobcat

Bobcat (L. rufus)
Otocolobus
Pallas's cat

Pallas's cat (O. manul)
Pardofelis
Marbled cat

Marbled cat (P. marmorata)
Prionailurus
Fishing cat

Fishing cat (P. viverrinus)
Leopard cat

Leopard cat (P. bengalensis)
Sundaland leopard cat (P. javanensis)
Flat-headed cat

Flat-headed cat (P. planiceps)
Rusty-spotted cat

Rusty-spotted cat (P. rubiginosus)
Puma
Cougar

Cougar (P. concolor)
Herpailurus
Jaguarundi

Jaguarundi (H. yagouaroundi)
Pantherinae
Panthera
Lion

Lion (P. leo)
Jaguar

Jaguar (P. onca)
Leopard

Leopard (P. pardus)
Tiger

Tiger (P. tigris)
Snow leopard

Snow leopard (P. uncia)
Neofelis
Clouded leopard

Clouded leopard (N. nebulosa)
Sunda clouded leopard

Sunda clouded leopard (N. diardi)
Family
Viverridae

Viverridae (includes Civets)
Paradoxurinae
Arctictis
Binturong

Binturong (A. binturong)
Arctogalidia
Small-toothed palm civet
_(8076736823)_(cut).jpg/440px-Small-toothed_Palm_Civet_(Arctogalidia_trivirgata_stigmatica)_(8076736823)_(cut).jpg)
Small-toothed palm civet (A. trivirgata)
Macrogalidia
Sulawesi palm civet

Sulawesi palm civet (M. musschenbroekii)
Paguma
Masked palm civet
.jpg/440px-Palm_civet_on_tree_(detail).jpg)
Masked palm civet (P. larvata)
Paradoxurus
Golden wet-zone palm civet (P. aureus)
Asian palm civet

Asian palm civet (P. hermaphroditus)
Jerdon's palm civet (P. jerdoni)
Golden palm civet

Golden palm civet (P. zeylonensis)
Hemigalinae
Chrotogale
Owston's palm civet

Owston's palm civet (C. owstoni)
Cynogale
Otter

Otter civet (C. bennettii)
Diplogale
Hose's palm civet

Hose's palm civet (D. hosei)
Hemigalus
Banded palm civet

Banded palm civet (H. derbyanus)
Prionodontinae
(Asiatic linsangs)
Prionodon
Banded linsang

Banded linsang (P. linsang)
Spotted linsang

Spotted linsang (P. pardicolor)
Viverrinae
Civettictis
African civet

African civet (C. civetta)
Genetta
(Genets)
Abyssinian genet
_Genetta_abyssinica.png/440px-Neue_Wirbelthiere_zu_der_Fauna_von_Abyssinien_gehörig_(1835)_Genetta_abyssinica.png)
Abyssinian genet (G. abyssinica)
Angolan genet

Angolan genet (G. angolensis)
Bourlon's genet

Bourlon's genet (G. bourloni)
Crested servaline genet

Crested servaline genet (G. cristata)
Common genet
.JPG/440px-Genetta_genetta_felina_(Wroclaw_zoo).JPG)
Common genet (G. genetta)
Johnston's genet

Johnston's genet (G. johnstoni)
Rusty-spotted genet

Rusty-spotted genet (G. maculata)
Pardine genet

Pardine genet (G. pardina)
Aquatic genet

Aquatic genet (G. piscivora)
King genet

King genet (G. poensis)
Servaline genet

Servaline genet (G. servalina)
Haussa genet

Haussa genet (G. thierryi)
Cape genet
_(17356502041)_(crop).jpg/440px-Large-spotted_Genet_(Genetta_tigrina)_(17356502041)_(crop).jpg)
Cape genet (G. tigrina)
Giant forest genet

Giant forest genet (G. victoriae)
Poiana
African linsang

African linsang (P. richardsonii)
Leighton's linsang

Leighton's linsang (P. leightoni)
Viverra
Malabar large-spotted civet
_DSCN2359_(cut).jpg/440px-Malabar_large-spotted_civet_(Viverra_civettina)_DSCN2359_(cut).jpg)
Malabar large-spotted civet (V. civettina)
Large-spotted civet

Large-spotted civet (V. megaspila)
Malayan civet

Malayan civet (V. tangalunga)
Large Indian civet

Large Indian civet (V. zibetha)
Viverricula
Small Indian civet

Small Indian civet (V. indica)
Family Eupleridae
Euplerinae
Cryptoprocta
Fossa (C. ferox)
Eupleres
Eastern falanouc

Eastern falanouc (E. goudotii)
Western falanouc (E. major)
Fossa
Malagasy civet
.jpg/440px-Fossa_fossana_(JoRoRe_2004-08-17_18h08m10s).jpg)
Malagasy civet (F. fossana)
Galidiinae
Galidia
Ring-tailed mongoose

Ring-tailed mongoose (G. elegans)
Galidictis
Broad-striped Malagasy mongoose

Broad-striped Malagasy mongoose (G. fasciata)
Grandidier's mongoose

Grandidier's mongoose (G. grandidieri)
Mungotictis
Narrow-striped mongoose

Narrow-striped mongoose (M. decemlineata)
Salanoia
Brown-tailed mongoose

Brown-tailed mongoose (S. concolor)
Durrell's vontsira (S. durrelli)
Suborder
Caniformia

Caniformia (cont. below)
Ursidae
(Bears)
Ailuropoda
Giant panda

Giant panda (A. melanoleuca)
Helarctos
Sun bear

Sun bear (H. malayanus)
Melursus
Sloth bear

Sloth bear (M. ursinus)
Tremarctos
Spectacled bear

Spectacled bear (T. ornatus)
Ursus
American black bear

American black bear (U. americanus)
Brown bear

Brown bear (U. arctos)
Polar bear
.jpg/440px-Polar_Bear_-_Alaska_(cropped).jpg)
Polar bear (U. maritimus)
Asian black bear
.JPG/440px-Ursus_thibetanus_3_(Wroclaw_zoo).JPG)
Asian black bear (U. thibetanus)
Mephitidae
Conepatus
(Hog-nosed
skunks)
Molina's hog-nosed skunk
_Inao_Vásquez_001.jpg/440px-Chingue_(Conepatus_chinga)_Inao_Vásquez_001.jpg)
Molina's hog-nosed skunk (C. chinga)
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk

Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk (C. humboldtii)
American hog-nosed skunk

American hog-nosed skunk (C. leuconotus)
Striped hog-nosed skunk

Striped hog-nosed skunk (C. semistriatus)
Mephitis
Hooded skunk

Hooded skunk (M. macroura)
Striped skunk
_DSC_0030.jpg/440px-Striped_Skunk_(Mephitis_mephitis)_DSC_0030.jpg)
Striped skunk (M. mephitis)
Mydaus
Sunda stink badger
.jpg/440px-Brehms_Het_Leven_der_Dieren_Zoogdieren_Orde_4_Stinkdas_(Mydaus_meliceps).jpg)
Sunda stink badger (M. javanensis)
Palawan stink badger

Palawan stink badger (M. marchei)
Spilogale
(Spotted skunks)
Southern spotted skunk

Southern spotted skunk (S. angustifrons)
Western spotted skunk

Western spotted skunk (S. gracilis)
Eastern spotted skunk
.jpg)
Eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius)
Pygmy spotted skunk

Pygmy spotted skunk (S. pygmaea)
Procyonidae
Bassaricyon
(Olingos)
Eastern lowland olingo

Eastern lowland olingo (B. alleni)
Northern olingo

Northern olingo (B. gabbii)
Western lowland olingo

Western lowland olingo (B. medius)
Olinguito

Olinguito (B. neblina)
Bassariscus
Ring-tailed cat

Ring-tailed cat (B. astutus)
Cacomistle

Cacomistle (B. sumichrasti)
Nasua
(Coatis inclusive)
White-nosed coati

White-nosed coati (N. narica)
South American coati

South American coati (N. nasua)
Nasuella
(Coatis inclusive)
Western mountain coati (N. olivacea)
Eastern mountain coati (N. meridensis)
Potos
Kinkajou

Kinkajou (P. flavus)
Procyon
Crab-eating raccoon
.JPG/440px-Mano_pelada_(Procyon_cancrivorus_nigripes).JPG)
Crab-eating raccoon (P. cancrivorus)
Raccoon

Raccoon (P. lotor)
Cozumel raccoon

Cozumel raccoon (P. pygmaeus)
Ailuridae
Ailurus
Red panda

Red panda (A. fulgens)
Suborder
Caniformia

Caniformia (cont. above)
Otariidae
(Eared seals)
(includes fur seals
and sea lions)
(
Pinniped

Pinniped inclusive)
Arctocephalus
South American fur seal

South American fur seal (A. australis)
Australasian fur seal (A. forsteri)
Galápagos fur seal

Galápagos fur seal (A. galapagoensis)
Antarctic fur seal

Antarctic fur seal (A. gazella)
Juan Fernández fur seal

Juan Fernández fur seal (A. philippii)
Brown fur seal

Brown fur seal (A. pusillus)
Guadalupe fur seal

Guadalupe fur seal (A. townsendi)
Subantarctic fur seal

Subantarctic fur seal (A. tropicalis)
Callorhinus
Northern fur seal

Northern fur seal (C. ursinus)
Eumetopias
Steller sea lion

Steller sea lion (E. jubatus)
Neophoca
Australian sea lion

Australian sea lion (N. cinerea)
Otaria
South American sea lion

South American sea lion (O. flavescens)
Phocarctos
New Zealand sea lion

New Zealand sea lion (P. hookeri)
Zalophus
California

California sea lion (Z. californianus)
Galápagos sea lion

Galápagos sea lion (Z. wollebaeki)
Odobenidae
(
Pinniped

Pinniped inclusive)
Odobenus
Walrus

Walrus (O. rosmarus)
Phocidae
(Earless seals)
(
Pinniped

Pinniped inclusive)
Cystophora
Hooded seal

Hooded seal (C. cristata)
Erignathus
Bearded seal

Bearded seal (E. barbatus)
Halichoerus
Gray seal (H. grypus)
Histriophoca
Ribbon seal

Ribbon seal (H. fasciata)
Hydrurga
Leopard

Leopard seal (H. leptonyx)
Leptonychotes
Weddell seal

Weddell seal (L. weddellii)
Lobodon
Crabeater seal
.jpg/440px-Crabeater_Seal_in_Pléneau_Bay,_Antarctica_(6059168728).jpg)
Crabeater seal (L. carcinophagus)
Mirounga
(Elephant seals)
Northern elephant seal

Northern elephant seal (M. angustirostris)
Southern elephant seal

Southern elephant seal (M. leonina)
Monachus
Mediterranean monk seal

Mediterranean monk seal (M. monachus)
Hawaiian monk seal

Hawaiian monk seal (M. schauinslandi)
Ommatophoca
Ross seal

Ross seal (O. rossi)
Pagophilus
Harp seal

Harp seal (P. groenlandicus)
Phoca
Spotted seal

Spotted seal (P. largha)
Harbor seal

Harbor seal (P. vitulina)
Pusa
Caspian seal
_adult_with_young.jpg)
Caspian seal (P. caspica)
Ringed seal

Ringed seal (P. hispida)
Baikal seal

Baikal seal (P. sibirica)
Canidae
Large family listed below
Mustelidae
Large family listed below
Family
Canidae

Canidae (includes dogs)
Atelocynus
Short-eared dog

Short-eared dog (A. microtis)
Canis
Side-striped jackal
-_rare_sighting_of_this_nocturnal_animal_..._(13799300905).jpg/440px-Side-striped_Jackal_(Canis_adustus)-_rare_sighting_of_this_nocturnal_animal_..._(13799300905).jpg)
Side-striped jackal (C. adustus)
African golden wolf

African golden wolf (C. anthus)
Golden jackal

Golden jackal (C. aureus)
Coyote

Coyote (C. latrans)
Gray wolf

Gray wolf (C. lupus)
Black-backed jackal
.jpg/520px-Black-backed_jackal,_Canis_mesomelas,_at_Pilanesberg_National_Park,_South_Afric_(17126221388).jpg)
Black-backed jackal (C. mesomelas)
Red wolf
.jpg/440px-Red_wolf_(4531335218).jpg)
Red wolf (C. rufus)
Ethiopian wolf
.jpg/440px-Ethiopian_wolf_(Canis_simensis_citernii).jpg)
Ethiopian wolf (C. simensis)
Cerdocyon
Crab-eating fox

Crab-eating fox (C. thous)
Chrysocyon
Maned wolf

Maned wolf (C. brachyurus)
Cuon
Dhole

Dhole (C. alpinus)
Lycalopex
Culpeo

Culpeo (L. culpaeus)
Darwin's fox

Darwin's fox (L. fulvipes)
South American gray fox

South American gray fox (L. griseus)
Pampas fox

Pampas fox (L. gymnocercus)
Sechuran fox

Sechuran fox (L. sechurae)
Hoary fox

Hoary fox (L. vetulus)
Lycaon
African wild dog
.jpg/440px-African_wild_dog_(Lycaon_pictus_pictus).jpg)
African wild dog (L. pictus)
Nyctereutes
Raccoon

Raccoon dog (N. procyonoides)
Otocyon
Bat-eared fox

Bat-eared fox (O. megalotis)
Speothos
Bush dog
.jpg/440px-Speothos_venaticus_Zoo_Praha_2011-5_(cropped).jpg)
Bush dog (S. venaticus)
Urocyon
Gray fox
.jpg/440px-Grey_Fox_(Urocyon_cinereoargenteus).jpg)
Gray fox (U. cinereoargenteus)
Island fox
_FWS_001.jpg/440px-Urocyon_littoralis_(Island_fox)_FWS_001.jpg)
Island fox (U. littoralis)
Vulpes
(Foxes)
Bengal fox
_at_Desert_NP_(cropped).jpg/440px-Black_tailed_fox_(Bengal_Fox)_at_Desert_NP_(cropped).jpg)
Bengal fox (V. bengalensis)
Blanford's fox

Blanford's fox (V. cana)
Cape fox
.jpg/440px-Vulpes_chama_(Etosha).jpg)
Cape fox (V. chama)
Corsac fox

Corsac fox (V. corsac)
Tibetan sand fox

Tibetan sand fox (V. ferrilata)
Arctic fox

Arctic fox (V. lagopus)
Kit fox

Kit fox (V. macrotis)
Pale fox

Pale fox (V. pallida)
Rüppell's fox

Rüppell's fox (V. rueppelli)
Swift fox

Swift fox (V. velox)
Red fox
.jpg/440px-Fox_-_British_Wildlife_Centre_(17429406401).jpg)
Red fox (V. vulpes)
Fennec fox

Fennec fox (V. zerda)
Family Mustelidae
Lutrinae
(Otters)
Aonyx
African clawless otter

African clawless otter (A. capensis)
Oriental small-clawed otter

Oriental small-clawed otter (A. cinerea)
Enhydra
Sea otter
_(25169790524)_crop.jpg/440px-Sea_Otter_(Enhydra_lutris)_(25169790524)_crop.jpg)
Sea otter (E. lutris)
Hydrictis
Spotted-necked otter

Spotted-necked otter (H. maculicollis)
Lontra
North American river otter

North American river otter (L. canadensis)
Marine otter

Marine otter (L. felina)
Neotropical otter

Neotropical otter (L. longicaudis)
Southern river otter

Southern river otter (L. provocax)
Lutra
Eurasian otter
_(5584351087).jpg/440px-European_Otter_(Lutra_lutra)_(5584351087).jpg)
Eurasian otter (L. lutra)
Hairy-nosed otter

Hairy-nosed otter (L. sumatrana)
Lutrogale
Smooth-coated otter
.jpg/440px-Smooth-coated_Otter_(14157590954).jpg)
Smooth-coated otter (L. perspicillata)
Pteronura
Giant otter

Giant otter (P. brasiliensis)
Mustelinae
(including badgers)
Arctonyx
Hog badger

Hog badger (A. collaris)
Eira
Tayra

Tayra (E. barbara)
Galictis
Lesser grison

Lesser grison (G. cuja)
Greater grison

Greater grison (G. vittata)
Gulo
Wolverine

Wolverine (G. gulo)
Ictonyx
Saharan striped polecat

Saharan striped polecat (I. libyca)
Striped polecat

Striped polecat (I. striatus)
Lyncodon
Patagonian weasel

Patagonian weasel (L. patagonicus)
Martes
(Martens)
American marten

American marten (M. americana)
Yellow-throated marten

Yellow-throated marten (M. flavigula)
Beech marten
.jpg/440px-Steinmarder_(cropped).jpg)
Beech marten (M. foina)
Nilgiri marten

Nilgiri marten (M. gwatkinsii)
European pine marten

European pine marten (M. martes)
Japanese marten

Japanese marten (M. melampus)
Sable

Sable (M. zibellina)
Pekania
Fisher (P. pennanti)
Meles
Japanese badger

Japanese badger (M. anakuma)
Asian badger

Asian badger (M. leucurus)
European badger

European badger (M. meles)
Mellivora
Honey badger

Honey badger (M. capensis)
Melogale
(Ferret-badgers)
Bornean ferret-badger

Bornean ferret-badger (M. everetti)
Chinese ferret-badger

Chinese ferret-badger (M. moschata)
Javan ferret-badger

Javan ferret-badger (M. orientalis)
Burmese ferret-badger

Burmese ferret-badger (M. personata)
Mustela
(Weasels and Ferrets)
Amazon weasel

Amazon weasel (M. africana)
Mountain weasel
.jpg/440px-Mountain_Weasel_(Mustela_altaica).jpg)
Mountain weasel (M. altaica)
Stoat

Stoat (M. erminea)
Steppe polecat

Steppe polecat (M. eversmannii)
Colombian weasel

Colombian weasel (M. felipei)
Long-tailed weasel

Long-tailed weasel (M. frenata)
Japanese weasel

Japanese weasel (M. itatsi)
Yellow-bellied weasel

Yellow-bellied weasel (M. kathiah)
European mink

European mink (M. lutreola)
Indonesian mountain weasel

Indonesian mountain weasel (M. lutreolina)
Black-footed ferret

Black-footed ferret (M. nigripes)
Least weasel

Least weasel (M. nivalis)
Malayan weasel

Malayan weasel (M. nudipes)
European polecat

European polecat (M. putorius)
Siberian weasel

Siberian weasel (M. sibirica)
Back-striped weasel

Back-striped weasel (M. strigidorsa)
Egyptian weasel

Egyptian weasel (M. subpalmata)
Neovison
(Minks)
American mink

American mink (N. vison)
Poecilogale
African striped weasel

African striped weasel (P. albinucha)
Taxidea
American badger
.jpg/440px-Taxidea_taxus_(Point_Reyes,_2007).jpg)
American badger (T. taxus)
Vormela
Marbled polecat

Marbled polecat (V. peregusna)
Taxon identifiers
Wd: Q232129
ADW: Taxidea_taxus
ARKive: taxidea-taxus
BioLib: 1780
EoL: 328595
EPPO: TAXITA
Fossilworks: 52093
GBIF: 2434102
iNaturalist: 41789
ITIS: 180565
IUCN: 41663
MSW: 14