Greater hog badger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greater hog badger |
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| Greater hog badger in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Arctonyx |
| Species: |
A. collaris
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| Binomial name | |
| Arctonyx collaris Cuvier, 1825
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The greater hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) is a large animal from the weasel family. It lives on the ground in Southeast Asia. Sadly, this animal is considered Vulnerable. This means its numbers are going down because of too much poaching (illegal hunting).
Contents
About the Greater Hog Badger
What is a Hog Badger?
The greater hog badger is a unique mammal. It's part of the weasel family, which also includes otters and ferrets. This badger is one of the largest animals in its family that lives on land.
How Scientists Classify Them
For a long time, scientists thought there was only one type of hog badger. They noticed many differences among them across their wide home range. But in 2008, a new study showed that the Arctonyx group should actually be split into three different species.
Before this, people thought there were several subspecies. These included the Greater hog badger, the Indochinese hog badger, and the Burmese hog badger. Now, we know they are all very similar and part of the same species.
Appearance and Size
What Does a Hog Badger Look Like?
The greater hog badger has medium-length brown fur. Its body is strong and stocky. It has a white throat and two black stripes on its long, white snout. Its nose looks like a pig's nose and is pink.
How Big Are They?
From its snout to its rump, a greater hog badger can be about 65 to 104 centimeters (25 to 41 inches) long. Its tail adds another 19 to 29 centimeters (7 to 11 inches). These badgers usually weigh between 7 and 14 kilograms (15 to 31 pounds).
They are among the biggest land animals in the weasel family. They are similar in size to the European badger. They might even be as big as a wolverine, which is another large mustelid.
Special Features
A hog badger looks a lot like the European badger. But it has a very clear pig-like snout. Its front feet have bigger claws, which are white. Its tail also has long, white hairs. These features help it dig and move around.
Where They Live
Their Home and Habitat
The greater hog badger is quite common in Thailand and most of mainland Southeast Asia. They like to live in tropical evergreen forests and grasslands. These are places with lots of trees and open grassy areas.
You can also find them in the Terai region of the Indian Subcontinent. This area stretches from the Yamuna River east through parts of India like Haryana and Assam. They also live in the lower parts of the Himalayan foothills in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Their presence in Myanmar is not as widespread.
Daily Life and Diet
Active Throughout the Day
Unlike some animals that only come out at night, the greater hog badger is active during the day. They are not very afraid of humans. Pictures from camera traps in Myanmar show that they are active both day and night. They don't seem to have a special time when they are most busy.
What Do They Eat?
The hog badger is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals. Their diet includes fruits, roots, and small animals. They dig for much of their food.
Who Are Their Predators?
Even large animals like the greater hog badger can be hunted by other animals. A study in Laos found that clouded leopards often eat greater hog badgers. In fact, hog badgers made up about 28% of the clouded leopard's diet in that study.
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