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Mustelidae - badgers, otters, martens, weasels

River OtterThere are 59 species in this family. They are found in all parts of the world, except Australia and Antarctica. They are found in diverse habitats. Some species are found primarily on land, while others, like the otters, are found in freshwater and marine environments.

Most species have long, cylindrical bodies and short legs. Other species, like the wolverine and the badger, have broad, flat bodies and powerful front legs that they use for digging. All of the species in this family have scent glands that produce strong smelling musk. Most of the species in this family are carnivores.

 

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in USThreatened in US Threatened in New HampshireThreatened in NH Endangered in USEndangered in US Endangered in NHEndangered in NH IntroducedIntroduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

  New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

American Mink - Neovison vison Least Concern
Fisher - Martes pennanti
Least Concern
Long-tailed Weasel - Mustela frenata
Least Concern
American Marten - Martes americana Least Concern Threatened in New Hampshire
River Otter -Lontra canadensis
Least Concern
Short-tailed Weasel - Mustela erminea
Least Concern
  Tayra - Eira barbara Least Concern
Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris Endangered
Greater Grison - Galictis vittata Least Concern
Wolverine - Gulo gulo Least Concern
Neotropical Otter - Lontra longicaudis
Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes Endangered Endangered in US
Least Weasel - Mustela nivalis Least Concern
Sea Mink - Neovison macrodon extinct
American Badger - Taxidea taxus Least Concern

Other Species Around the World

Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH

African Clawless Otter - Aonyx capensis Least Concern Africa
Asian Small-clawed Otter - Aonyx cinerea Vulnerable Asia
Congo Clawless Otter - Aonyx congicus Least Concern Africa
Hog Badger - Arctonyx collaris Near Threatened Asia
Tayra - Eira barbara Least Concern North America South America
Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris Endangered Asia North America
Lesser Grison - Galictis cuja Least Concern South America
Greater Grison - Galictis vittata Least Concern North America South America
Wolverine - Gulo gulo Least Concern Asia Europe North America
Libyan Striped Weasel - Ictonyx libyca Least Concern Africa
Zorilla - Ictonyx striatus Least Concern Africa
River Otter - Lontra canadensis Least Concern North America
Marine Otter - Lontra felina Endangered South America
Neotropical Otter - Lontra longicaudis North America South America
Southern River Otter - Lontra provocax Endangered South America
Eurasian Otter - Lutra lutra Near Threatened Africa Asia Europe
Spotted-necked Otter - Lutra maculicollis Least Concern Africa
Hairy-nosed Otter - Lutra sumatrana Endangered Asia
Smooth-coated Otter - Lutrogale perspicillata Vulnerable Asia
Patagonian Weasel - Lyncodon patagonicus South America
American Marten - Martes americana Least Concern North America
Yellow-throated Marten - Martes flavigula Least Concern Asia
Stone Marten - Martes foina Least Concern Asia Europe
Nilgiri Marten - Martes gwatkinsii Vulnerable Asia
European Pine Marten - Martes martes Least Concern Asia Europe
Japanese Marten - Martes melampus Least Concern Asia
Fisher - Martes pennanti Least Concern North America
Sable - Martes zibellina Least Concern Asia Europe
Japanese Badger - Meles anakuma Least Concern Asia
Asian Badger - Meles leucurus Least Concern Asia

 

Eurasian Badger - Meles meles Least Concern Asia Europe
Honey Badger - Mellivora capensis Least Concern Africa Asia
Bornean Ferret Badger - Melogale everetti Asia
Small-toothed Ferret-badger - Melogale moschata Least Concern Asia
Javan Ferret Badger - Melogale orientalis Asia
Large-toothed Ferret Badger - Melogale personata Asia
Amazon Weasel - Mustela africana Least Concern South America
Altai Weasel - Mustela altaica Near Threatened Asia
Short-tailed Weasel - Mustela erminea Least Concern Asia Europe North America
Steppe Polecat - Mustela eversmanii Least Concern Asia Europe
Colombian Weasel - Mustela felipei Vulnerable South America
Long-tailed Weasel - Mustela frenata Least Concern North America South America
Japanese Weasel - Mustela itatsi Least Concern Asia
Yellow-bellied Weasel - Mustela kathiah Least Concern Asia
European Mink - Mustela lutreola Endangered Asia Europe
Indonesian Mountain Weasel - Mustela lutreolina Asia
Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes Endangered North America
Least Weasel - Mustela nivalis Least Concern Africa Asia Europe North America
Malay Weasel - Mustela nudipes Least Concern Asia
European Polecat - Mustela putorius Least Concern Africa Asia Australia Europe
Siberian Weasel - Mustela sibirica Least Concern Asia
Stripe-backed Weasel - Mustela strigidorsa Least Concern Asia
Egyptian Weasel - Mustela subpalmata Least Concern Africa
Sea Mink - Neovison macrodon extinct North America
American Mink - Neovison vison Least Concern North America
African Striped Weasel - Poecilogale albinucha Least Concern Africa
Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis Endangered South America
American Badger - Taxidea taxus Least Concern North America
European Marbled Polecat - Vormela peregusna Vulnerable Asia Europe

Additional Information

Key: profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

African Clawless Otter - Aonyx capensis profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa
The African clawless otter has long fingers with rounded tips and no claws!
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

African Clawless Otter - Aonyx capensis profile Photos Least Concern Africa
The African clawless otter is found from Senegal through most of West Africa to Ethiopia, and south to South Africa.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

African Striped Weasel - Poecilogale albinucha profile Least Concern Africa
The African striped weasel is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Altai Weasel - Mustela altaica Photos Near Threatened Asia
The Altai weasel is found in Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, and Tajikistan.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Altai Weasel - Mustela altaica profile Photos Near Threatened Asia
The Altai weasel is also known as the mountain weasel.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

American Badger - Taxidea taxus profile Photos Least Concern North America
American badgers are not very graceful. They waddle when they walk!
Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Badger - Taxidea taxus profile Photos Least Concern North America
The American badger is found in the Great Plains region of North America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

American Marten - Martes americana Photos Video Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The American marten is found in northern forests in Canada and the United States.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Marten - Martes americana profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
American martens are also known as pine martens
Source: Environmental Education for Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

American Marten - Martes americana profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
American martens have semi-retractable claws to help them climb.
Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Marten - Martes americana profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
Martens are omnivores and eat insects, fruits, and seeds as well as birds and small-to-medium-sized mammals.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

American Marten - Martes americana profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
American martens have golden brown fur and a yellow chest.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Marten - Martes americana profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
American martens are found in the northern reaches of North America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School Searchable: Ye\

American Mink - Neovison vison profile Photos Video Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The American mink is found in most of Canada and the United States
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Mink - Neovison vison profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The American mink preys on meadow voles and other small mammals, muskrats, fish, crayfish, frogs and insects.
Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

American Mink - Neovison vison profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The American mink has soft brown to dark brown fur, a patch of creamy-white fur under its chin, a slender body, short legs, and a tail that is about a third the length of its body.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

American Mink - Neovison vison profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The American mink is found along along streams, lakes, and marshes.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Asian Small-clawed Otter - Aonyx cinerea profile Photos Video Vulnerable Asia
The Asian small-clawed otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India , Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Asian Small-clawed Otter - Aonyx cinerea profile Photos Vulnerable Asia
The Asian small-clawed otter uses its front paws to locate and capture prey, most otters use their mouths.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Asian Small-clawed Otter - Aonyx cinerea profile Photos Vulnerable Asia
These otters are the smallest of the world's 13 otter species.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Video Endangered North America
The black-footed ferret was once considered extinct in the wild. It is the most endangered mammal in North America. It was once found across the Great Plains in North America. Itt has been reintroduced to locations in South Dakota, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
Learn more about what is being done to save the black-footed ferret.
Source: Black-footed Ferret Recovery Program Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Video Endangered North America
The black-footed ferret has a tan body with black legs and feet, a black tip on the tail and a black mask.
Source: Defenders of Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
The prairie dog makes up most of the black-footed ferret's diet. Without prairies dogs, the black-footed ferrets can't survive.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
Black-footed ferrets require prairie dog burrows for shelter.
Source: Arizona Fish and Game Department Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
The black-footed ferret is solitary, except during breeding season.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
Black-footed ferrets have sharp claws for digging.
Source: Exploring Nature Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
Male black-footed ferrets are larger than females.
Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
The black-footed ferret was once found throughout the eastern and southern Rockies and the Great Plains.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Black-footed Ferret - Mustela nigripes profile Photos Endangered North America
The black-footed ferret is nocturnal.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Bornean Ferret Badger - Melogale everetti Photos Video Asia
The Bornean ferret badger is found in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bornean Ferret-badger - Melogale everetti profile Asia
The Bornean ferret badger is also known as Everett's ferret-badger or the Kinabalu ferret-badger. It is a little over a foot in length. It has a long, bushy tail, a long, pointed nose, and gray-brown fur with a creamy yellow mask on its face.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Congo Clawless Otter - Aonyx congicus Photos Least Concern Africa profile
The Congo clawless otter is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Egyptian Weasel - Mustela subpalmata profile Photos Least Concern Africa
The Egyptian weasel is found in Egypt.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Badger - Meles meles profile Photos Video Least Concern Asia Europe
The Eurasian badger is found across Europe and Asia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Badger - Meles meles profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe
Earthworms are a large part of the Eurasian badger's diet.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Badger - Meles meles profile Photos Video Audio Least Concern Asia Europe
The Eurasian badger is nocturnal and has a black and white striped head, a stocky body, and strong front legs with long claws. .
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Otter - Lutra lutra profile Photos Video Near Threatened Africa Asia Europe
The Eurasian otter is found across much of Europe and Asia and in parts of northern Africa.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Otter - Lutra lutra profile Photos Near Threatened Africa Asia Europe
The Eurasian otter is most active at dusk and during the night.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Eurasian Otter - Lutra lutra profile Photos Near Threatened Africa Asia Europe
The European otter is a playful and vocal animal!
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Marbled Polecat - Vormela peregusna Photos Video Vulnerable Asia Europe
The European marbled polecat is found in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Syria, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Mink - Mustela lutreola profile Photos Video Endangered Asia Europe
The European mink is one of the most endangered mammals in Europe.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Mink - Mustela lutreola profile Endangered Asia Europe
The European mink is found in areas of northeast Spain and France and throughout Europe to the Irtysh and Ob Rivers.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

European Pine Marten - Martes martes profile Photos Video Least Concern Asia Europe
The European pine marten is found from western Europe in the west to western Siberia in the east, from the northern edge of coniferous forest in the north to Asia Minor in the south.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Pine Marten - Martes martes profile Photos Video Audio Least Concern Asia Europe
European pine martens are excellent climbers.
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Pine Marten - Martes martes profile Least Concern Asia Europe
The European pine marten has a long, cylindrical body, a long tail, and chocolate-brown fur with a creamy yellow chest.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

European Polecat - Mustela putorius profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa Asia Australia Europe
The European polecat is found across much of Europe, parts of western Asia, and northern Africa. It has been introduced to New Zealand.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Polecat - Mustela putorius profile Photos Least Concern Africa Asia Australia Europe
The European polecat has long, slender body, brown fur, and a creamy-yellow mask on its face.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

European Polecat - Mustela putorius profile Photos Video Audio Least Concern Africa Asia Australia Europe
European polecats have long cylindrical bodies, with short legs, short blunt faces and small, rounded ears.
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

European Polecat - Mustela putorius profile Photos Least Concern Africa Asia Australia Europe
This European polecat is the wild ancestor of the domestic ferret.
Source: St. Louis Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Fisher - Martes pennanti profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The fisher is found in Canada and the United States.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Fisher - Martes pennanti profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
Fishers are among the few predators able to kill porcupines.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Fisher - Martes pennanti profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The fisher is found from the Sierra Nevada of California to the Appalachians of West Virginia and Virginia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis profile Photos Video Endangered South America
The giant otter is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis profile Endangered South America
The giant otter is found in rivers, lakes and creeks.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis profile Photos Endangered South America
Giant otters are picivorous. They eat only fish!
Source: Philadelphia Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Otter - Pteronura brasiliensis profile Photos Endangered South America
Giant otters spend more time on land than they do in the water.
Source: World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Otter Research - Pteronura brasiliensis profile Photos Video Endangered South America
The giant otter is also known as the river wolf! It is the largest otter species and one of South America's top predators.
Source: Dr Nicole Duplaix Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Greater Grison - Galictis vittata profile Least Concern North America South America
The greater grison is found from southern Mexico to Brazil and Bolivia
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Hairy-nosed Otter - Lutra sumatrana profile Photos Video Endangered Asia
The hairy-nosed otter is found in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hairy-Nosed Otter - Lutra sumatrana profile Photos Video Endangered Asia
The hairy-nosed otter is found in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sumatra.
Source: Conservation International Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hairy-Nosed Otter - Lutra sumatrana profile Photos Video Endangered Asia
Read about Dara, the hairy-nosed otter, as he is released into his new home at the Phnom Tamau Wildlife Sanctuary in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Source: MSNBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hairy-Nosed Otter - Lutra sumatrana profile Photos Video Endangered Asia
Here's more news about Dara's release into the wild.
Source: Science News Daily Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hog Badger - Arctonyx collaris profile Photos Near Threatened Asia
The hog badger is found in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hog Badger - Arctonyx collaris profile Photos Near Threatened Asia
The hog badger is found in forested areas and lowland jungles.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Honey Badger - Mellivora capensis profile Photos Least Concern Africa Asia
The honey badger is found in Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Middle East, as well as in India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Honey Badger - Mellivora capensis profile Photos Least Concern Africa Asia
The honey badger has a dark brown fur with very light brown fur on its head and back.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Honey Badger - Mellivora capensis profile Photos Least Concern Africa Asia
The honey badger rodents, birds, lizards, insects, turtles, snakes, and of course, honey.
Source: Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Japanese Marten - Martes melampus profile Least Concern Asia
The Japanese marten is found on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Large-toothed Ferret Badger - Melogale personata profile Asia
The large-toothed ferret badger is also known as the Burmese ferret badger. It is found in Nepal, north-eastern India, Myanmar, the southern most provinces of China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Least Weasel - Mustela nivalis profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa Asia Europe North America
The least weasel is found across much of Europe, Asia and northern Africa and northern North America.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Least Weasel - Mustela nivalis profile Least Concern Africa Asia Europe North America
Most of the least weasel's diet is made up of small rodents.
Source: Animal Diversity Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lesser Grison - Galictis cuja profile Least Concern South America
The lesser grison is found across central and southern South America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Long-tailed Weasel - Mustela frenata profile Photos Least Concern North America South America New Hampshire Species
Long-tailed weasels are solitary animals.
Source: Exploring Nature Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Long-tailed Weasel - Mustela frenata profile Photos Least Concern North America South America New Hampshire Species
The long-tailed weasel is found in from just north of the United States-Canadian border south to northern South America
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Marine Otter - Lontra felina profile Photos Video Endangered South America
The marine otter is found in waters off the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and Peru.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Marine Otter - Lontra felina profile Endangered South America
Marine otters have long, slender bodies, a flat head, and a shorter tail than most otters.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Neotropical Otter - Lontra longicaudis Photos North America South America
The neotropical otter is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Neotropical River Otter - Lontra longicaudis profile North America South America
Fish make up most of the neotropical river otter's diet, but it also eats crustaceans, insects, amphibians, and small birds, mammals and reptiles.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Nilgiri Marten - Martes gwatkinsii Photos Vulnerable Asia
The Nilgiri marten is found in India.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Video Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The North American otter is found in most of Canada and in much of the United States.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Video Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
River otters are found in rivers, lakes, and streams.
Source: National Geographic Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Audio Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters remain active in winter, using ice holes to surface and breathe.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters love to play. They slide down muddy and snowy hills, bounce objects on their paws, and play tag, and wrestle with each other.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Video Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters eat fish, crayfish, frogs, turtles, and aquatic invertebrates, and sometime a bird, rodent or rabbit!
Source: Oakland Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters use their sensitive whiskers to help locate food under water.
Source: Maryland Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
River otters are good swimmers and divers and can stay underwater for up to eight minutes.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters have webbed feet that help them swim.
Source: Oregon Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters have flexible spines that let them make quick turns in the water!
Source: Brookfield Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
River otters can swim up to seven miles an hour and dive to a depth of 60 feet.
Source: Prospect Park Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
Baby otters emerge from the den and begin to swim at two months of age. They leave their mother when they are a year old.
Source: San Francisco Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters live in dens underground.
Source: Brandywine Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
North American Otters are solitary, except during mating season and when raising young.
Source: Blank Park Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
River otters have 11 different vocalizations.
Source: Lincoln's Children's Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

North American Otter - Lontra canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The North American otter can live in freshwater and coastal marine habitats, including rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, and estuaries.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Patagonian Weasel - Lyncodon patagonicus profile South America
The Patagonian weasel is found in southern and western parts of Argentina into Chile.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Sable - Martes zibellina profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe
The sable is found throughout northern Asia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Video Endangered Asia North America
The sea otter is found in Canada, Japan, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and the United States.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Endangered Asia North America
The sea otter is the largest member of the Mustelidae family.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Video Endangered Asia North America
Sea otters live in loose-knit groups called rafts.
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Video Audio Endangered Asia North America
The sea otter spends most of its time in the water.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Endangered Asia North America
Sea otters can grow to be 6 feet long, but average 3 to 5 feet.
Source: Oregon Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Endangered Asia North America
Sea otters eat sea urchins, fish, clams, snails, worms, sea stars, crabs, squid, octopus, and abalone.
Source: Minnesota Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Endangered Asia North America
Sea otters use rocks to pound open hard-shelled prey.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Endangered Asia North America
An adult sea otter may eat as much as 20 pounds of food each day!
Source: Sea World Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Photos Video Endangered Asia North America
The sea otter is the largest member of the weasel family, but one of the smallest marine mammals!
Source: Defenders of Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sea Otter - Enhydra lutris profile Endangered Asia North America
The sea otter is found from the coast of California through Alaska and along the eastern coast of Russia to northern Japan.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Short-tailed Weasel - Mustela erminea profile Photos Video Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The short-tailed weasel is also known as the stoat or ermine.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Short-tailed Weasel- Mustela erminea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
If it is cold enough, the short-tailed weasel's coat turns white in the winter!
Source: Ohio Department of Natural resources Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Short-tailed Weasel- Mustela erminea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
Short-tailed weasels care found in the northern temperate regions of Eurasia and North America.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Short-tailed Weasel - Mustela erminea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
Short-tailed weasels can be very aggressive if they are threatened.
Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Short-tailed Weasel- Mustela erminea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
Short-tailed weasels are good swimmers and climbers.
Source: Exploring Nature Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Short-tailed Weasel- Mustela erminea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
Female short-tailed weasels teach their young to hunt.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Short-tailed Weasel- Mustela erminea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The short-tailed weasel has a black tipped tail that will stay black, even if the short-tailed weasel develops a white winter coat.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Siberian Weasel - Mustela sibirica Photos Least Concern Asia
The Siberian weasel is found in Bhutan, China, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Taiwan,Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Siberian Weasel - Mustela sibirica profile Least Concern Asia
The Siberian weasel is pale brown on its back and a paler, yellowish brown on its undersides.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Small-toothed Ferret-badger - Melogale moschata Least Concern Asia
The small-toothed ferret badger is also known as the Chinese ferret badger. It is found from Assam to central China and northern Indochina, as well as in Taiwan, and Hainar.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Smooth-coated Otter - Lutrogale perspicillata profile Photos Video Vulnerable Asia
The smooth-coated otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Smooth-coated Otter - Lutrogale perspicillata profile Photos Vulnerable Asia
Smooth-coated otters live in family groups.
Source: Conserve Nature Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Smooth-coated Otter - Lutrogale perspicillata profile Vulnerable Asia
The smooth-coated otter is the largest otter in Asia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Southern River Otter - Lontra provocax profile Photos Video Endangered South America
The southern river otter is found in Argentina and Chile.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern River Otter - Lontra provocax profile Endangered South America
Southern river otters are only found in central and southern Chile and parts of Argentina.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Spotted-necked Otter - Lutra maculicollis profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa
The spotted-necked otter is found in central Africa.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Spotted-necked Otter - Lutra maculicollis profile Photos Least Concern Africa
The spotted-necked otter has brown and white spots on its throat and underside.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Spotted Necked Otter - Lutra maculicollis profile Photos Least Concern Africa
Spotted necked otters are solitary animals.
Source: Phoenix Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Striped Polecat - Mustela eversmanii profile Least Concern Asia Europe
Striped polecats look like skunks and are found throughout the African continent.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Stone Marten - Martes foina profile Least Concern Asia Europe
The stone marten is also known as the beech marten and the house marten. It is found throughout much of Europe and central Asia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Tayra - Eira barbara Photos Video Least Concern North America South America
The tayra is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tayra - Eira barbara profile Photos Least Concern North America South America
Tayra are found in tropical deciduous and evergreen forests.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tayra - Eira barbara profile Photos Least Concern North America South America
The tayra is a large marten species. It has a long, cylindrical body, a broad head, a short, pointed muzzle, rounded ears, and a long tail.
Source: World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Wolverine - Gulo gulo profile Photos Video Least Concern Asia Europe North America
The wolverine is found in Canada, China, Estonia, Finland, Mongolia, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Wolverine - Gulo gulo profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America
The wolverine has powerful jaws and large teeth.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Wolverine - Gulo gulo profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America
Wolverines are scavengers and predators. They eat medium-sized mammals such as squirrels, hares, skunks, and foxes. They also eat carrion.
Source: Minnesota Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Wolverine - Gulo gulo profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America
The wolverine is found in forests, mountains, plains, brushlands, and the tundra.
Source: World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Wolverine - Gulo gulo profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America
Wolverines are solitary animals.
Source: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Wolverine - Gulo gulo profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe North America
The wolverine is also known as the skunk bear or glutton.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Yellow-bellied Weasel - Mustela kathiah profile Least Concern Asia
The yellow-bellied weasel is found from northern Pakistan to southeast China, and throughout southeast Asia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle /High School

Zorilla - Ictonyx striatus Photos Video Least Concern Africa
The zorilla is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School