Palawan stink badger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palawan stink badger |
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| Conservation status | |
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Mydaus
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| Species: |
marchei
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| Palawan stink badger range | |
The Palawan stink badger (Mydaus marchei) is a cool animal from the western Philippines. People sometimes call it pantot or tuldo in the Batak language. It got its name because it looks a bit like a badger and has a very strong smell! It lives on Palawan, which is the biggest island it calls home.
For a long time, scientists thought stink badgers were closely related to badgers. But new genetic tests show they are actually part of the Mephitidae family. This is the same family as skunks! The Palawan stink badger is about the size of a large skunk or a small badger. It uses its strong body to dig for bugs at night. These badgers don't have the white stripes that many skunks have. But don't worry, they still have a powerful way to protect themselves! They can spray a stinky liquid from special glands, just like skunks. This keeps predators and hunters away.
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What Does the Palawan Stink Badger Look Like?
Even though it's smaller than a true badger, the Palawan stink badger is one of the bigger members of the skunk family. Adult badgers are about 32 to 46 cm (13 to 18 in) long. This is about the same size as the striped skunk you might see in North America. They can weigh anywhere from 0.85 to 2.5 kg (1.9 to 5.5 lb).
Body Features
These badgers look more like badgers than skunks. They have a pointy nose that can move around. Their body is strong and stocky, with short, powerful legs. They have very sharp, curved claws. These claws are perfect for digging! Their tail is very short, only 1.5 to 4.5 cm (0.59 to 1.77 in) long. It doesn't have the bushy fur that many skunks have. Their ears are tiny and almost hidden. Their eyes are also quite small.
Fur Color and Differences
Most of their fur is dark brown to black. It gets a bit more brownish on their belly. They also have some white hairs scattered on their back and forehead. But they don't have the clear white stripe or head-patch that their close relative, the Sunda stink badger, has. The Palawan stink badger is also a little smaller than the Sunda stink badger. It has bigger teeth and longer fur. Female badgers have six teats.
Where Do Palawan Stink Badgers Live?
Palawan stink badgers live on the Philippine island of Palawan. They also live on the nearby islands of Busuanga and Calauit. You can mostly find them in grasslands and farm areas on these islands. They use local bushes and shrubs for shelter during the day.
Conservation Status
In the 1970s, people said the Palawan stink badger was "surprisingly common." But now, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says it is a vulnerable species. This means its numbers are going down. It's not clear if losing their homes is hurting them. However, since they only live on two islands, it's important to protect them. Right now, there are no special laws in the Philippines to protect this animal. Also, no specific conservation work is being done for them.
Palawan Stink Badger Life and Habits
Palawan stink badgers are active at night. This means they are nocturnal. They mainly eat small animals without backbones, like freshwater crabs and tiny insects. They dig these out of the ground using their long claws. They are very good at digging! They might spend their days resting in dens they dig themselves.
Movement and Defense
These badgers can travel up to 2 km (1.2 mi) when looking for food. They are also known to mark their territory with their scent. They move slowly and are not very aggressive. If they feel threatened, they might freeze or make a warning growl.
Like skunks, Palawan stink badgers have special scent glands near their bottom. These glands can spray a strong-smelling yellowish liquid. They can spray this liquid up to a meter away! People say you can smell it from a mile away. Stink badgers use this powerful smell almost entirely for defense. Because of this strong smell, they are one of the few wild animals that local farmers don't eat.
