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There are many types of animals in the marten family. Sometimes they are so different from each other that it is difficult to believe in their relationship. The mustelids include the tiny graceful stoat and the clumsy big wolverine, a resident of the steppes. black-footed ferret and seafarer sea otter, climber marten and builder of underground cities badger. An elongated flexible body and short legs are the main similarities of all mustelids.

pine marten

The central figure of the family is the European pine marten. This is the most agile tree frog in the family. The marten hunts birds and squirrels in the crowns of trees, and "walks on horseback", that is, it moves by jumping from tree to tree. Likewise dexterity and American marten. Dwelling in the cold northern forests, martens are dressed in thick and valuable fur.

The most valuable fur-bearing animal is our taiga resident sable. Sable, although it climbs trees well, keeps mainly on the ground and hunts mice and voles, supplementing the meat menu with pine nuts. South of these mustelids in Eurasia, the stone marten lives. She has adapted to close proximity to humans and in times of famine visits chicken coops to steal chickens. She also helps a person, destroying pest rodents in the fields.

In North America, in the forests, among the rocks and along the banks of the rivers, a large fishing marten (pecan) lives. Despite the name, this marten does not fish that often, preferring to hunt a variety of rodents, including the large American tree porcupine. Martens are such skilled hunters that they easily cope with prey larger than themselves. So, the Asian marten harza, found from the cold forests of our Primorye to the jungle South-East Asia, is able to overcome both a young boar, and a deer, and a musk deer - a small deer.

Mink

Similar to martens, European and American minks are ground hunters. A long flexible body spreads along the ground, hiding a predator in snowdrifts or grass. Extraction of minks and smaller inhabitants of the Asian forests of columns - mice, voles, chipmunks, muskrats, squirrels, birds, frogs. Minks and columns are excellent anglers: having spotted fish from the shore, they dive under the water for it. In winter, fish is their main food.

Weasel and stoat

The marten family includes the most small predators weasel and ermine. They themselves are slightly larger than lizards, they easily cope with mice and even rabbits. Victims have no escape from nimble pursuers, seeping even into their narrow minks. Destroying rodents, weasels and weasels protect the harvest. Occupying one ecological niche of small land predators, weasels and ermines do not get along side by side. Weasels live a little to the south of stoats, although they are adapted to snow and frost no worse than those: both species have warm valuable fur, reddish in summer, white in winter.

Tyra and grison

In the tropics of North and South America large martens live - tayra and grison. Tayra runs fast, climbs trees dexterously and is an excellent swimmer. Its prey is much larger than the prey of tree raccoons living in the same places. The taira is hunting large rodents agouti, on squirrels and opossums (arboreal marsupials), can also overcome a small mazama deer. The grison is smaller than the tayra - it has a very long and flexible body on short legs. It hunts rodents on the ground and lives in burrows.

Ferret

Ferrets are close to martens and minks. A ferret and a mink can even start a family, and healthy cubs will be born to them, a cross between a ferret and a mink is called honoriki. Forest ferrets are found in the European part of our country: on forest edges, near rivers and even in city parks. They hide in heaps of deadwood, under roots, in other people's empty burrows, they settle in sheds, attics, in woodpiles, in haystacks.

Previously, when cats were a curiosity in Rus', peasants kept ferrets at home so that they would destroy mice and rats. In the southern steppes, the forest polecat is adjacent to a larger brother - the steppe polecat. This is a valuable fur animal, but people, given its contribution to the destruction of rodents, have limited hunting for it. In the American steppes, prairies, there used to be black-footed ferrets. They were hunting for prairie dogs- rodents that look like gophers. But farmers, exterminating prairie dogs, also exhausted ferrets. Now they are bred in captivity.

Man is unfair to the ferret: this animal is more useful than harm, because its main prey is voles and mice. Harmful rodents not only eat grain in the fields, but also make reserves for the winter, stuffing up to half a kilogram of seeds into underground pantries. One ferret hunting in the field destroys 10-12 rodents per day, thus saving about a ton of grain over the summer.

Skunks live in american forests, steppes and deserts. They look like ferrets, but are related to badgers. During the day, skunks sleep in burrows and caves, and at night they catch insects, mice, frogs, and other small animals, look for fruits and seeds, and feast on garbage in the villages. In danger, the skunk puffs up its hair, turns its back to the offender and raises its tail. If the threat does not work, the skunk stands up on its front paws, raising its backside, and throws a stream of smelly goo at the enemy. Bright black and white fur warns predators from afar: "Don't touch me, I'm a stinker!" Striped and spotted skunks live in North America, and the Patagonian skunk lives in South America. Skunks living in cold regions hibernate for the winter, gathering several animals in one hole.

Bandage, African weasel and zorilla are taxonomically closer to ferrets, but similar to skunks. Contrasting coloring warns predators of their ability to defend themselves by firing a stinky liquid. These hunters for jerboas, ground squirrels, hamsters and other small animals live in the steppes and deserts: ligation - in the south of Eurasia, African weasel and zorilla - in Africa.

Ferrets and skunks are small animals. Not to become prey anymore large predators, they chose original way protection: beat off the appetite of the enemies of the stench. Ferrets simply secrete a disgustingly smelling liquid with glands under their tail, and skunks can shoot a jet of this smelly and caustic liquid into the muzzle of a predator at a distance of up to 3 m. A smeared and blinded enemy will forever remember a meeting with a stinker and will henceforth avoid it. By removing the "stink" glands, the skunk can be kept as a pet.

The family of mustelids includes a group that is numerous and diverse in terms of the nature of adaptations. predatory mammals. This includes animals such as sable, badger, otter, ferret, skunk. True seals originated from common terrestrial ancestors with mustelids. In total, there are more than 70 species in the mustelid family, in the fauna of Russia there are 17-18 species.

Representatives of the marten family are most often small, elongated animals. Weasel is the smallest representative of the predatory order, weighs no more than 200 g, while the largest among mustelid sea otters weighs up to 40 kg. A small head with short rounded ears sits on a long muscular neck: they rightly say about small mustelids - where the head passes, the body also passes. The limbs are shortened, usually plantigrade.

The fur is most often fluffy, thick, especially in water-dwelling otters; in badgers, on the contrary, the fur is hard and sparse. The coloration of mustelids is usually monochromatic brown, but may be with a contrasting pattern of dark and light spots and stripes. Some small inhabitants of the northern latitudes (weasel, ermine) change their dark coat to white for the winter. Two-color - the so-called demonstration - coloration is usually combined with a strong development of odorous prianal glands.

Mustelids are distributed almost all over the world: they have mastered forests, deserts and mountains, live in freshwater reservoirs and on sea coasts. These are mostly terrestrial animals. Among mustelids there are semi-aquatic animals - otter, sea otter. Representatives of the weasel family often live alone, they are territorial and not prone to long-distance migrations. Asylums are usually burrows that the animals "borrow" from the victims they have eaten or dig themselves, sometimes complex perennial; tree dwellers hide in hollows. Badger living in the northern forests go to sleep for the winter.

Most mustelids are predators, feeding almost exclusively on small rodents and birds, while others are omnivorous; semi-aquatic animals prefer fish. According to habits, two main types are distinguished among mustelids. Some of them are very mobile, nimble, move in short jumps with a strongly arched back or, as it were, “spread” along the ground among thick grass. These are small animals like ermine or ferret; similar behavior in the otter. They are active hunters, stalking prey in its hiding places or trapping it in the water.

Mustelids orient themselves mainly with the help of hearing, their sense of smell and vision are worse developed. General level mental activity is lower than that of canines and bears: among mustelids there are few species that can be trained.

A very extended gestation period is characteristic of mustelid reproduction: in some martens it lasts up to a year. This is caused by a delay in the development of the embryos, the causes of which are still unknown. Cubs in a litter range from 1-2 (in sea otters) to 16-18. By the nature of the development of mustelids, like all predatory ones, they belong to the "chicken" type. But in some species, the “following reflex” characteristic of the “brood” type is manifested: cubs at a certain age relentlessly follow the female or the object that they “imprinted” as a mother.

CLASS MAMMALS

SUBCLASS PLACENTAL MAMMALS

ORDER PREDATORY

KUNNY FAMILY

Animals of medium or small size, usually with an elongated body on short plantigrade or semi-stopigrade legs. In species biologically related to water bodies, there is a swimming membrane between the fingers, and sometimes the paws are turned into flippers. Claws are not retractable. The tail is well developed different lengths. The skull is slightly flattened, with a short facial part. The number of teeth ranges from 28 to. 38.

TABLE FOR DETERMINING THE GENERA OF THE FAMILY KUNIA

1(2) Hind limbs look like flippers. The toes of the front legs are fused. The fifth toe of the hind legs is the longest (Fig. 106). The lower jaw has only 2 incisors on each side. The molars are blunt. The length of the skull is almost equal to its zygomatic width.

sea ​​otters

Rice. 106. Front (above - a and below - b) and hind (c) paws of a sea otter

2(1) The hind limbs do not have the appearance of flippers. The toes of all feet are isolated (sometimes connected by a thin swimming membrane). The fifth toe of the hind legs is shorter than the middle ones. The lower jaw has 3 incisors on each side. Molar teeth with sharp or blunt cusps. The length of the skull is much greater than its zygomatic width.

3(4) The toes of the fore and hind legs are connected by a thin bare swimming membrane, which on the hind legs extends to the ends of the toes. The tail is thick, muscular, conical, gradually tapering towards the end. It is covered with the same hairline as the body. Anterior molars 4 on each side in the upper jaw and 3 on each side in the lower jaw. The skull is flattened.

otters

4(3) The toes of the fore and hind feet are not connected by a swimming membrane, or such a membrane is rudimentary, connects only the bases of the fingers and is covered with hair. The tail is a different shape. The hair covering it differs sharply from the fur of the back. Anterior molars 3 or 4 on each side in the upper and lower jaws. The skull is not flattened.

5(6) The auricles are absent. Upper body and head whitish. The underside of the body is black. The lower jaw has 4 molars on each side.

honey badgers

6(5) The auricles are well developed. Upper body is not whitish. In the lower jaw on each side there are 5-6 molars.

7(8) On the sides of the head from the nose to the ears are pronounced black or black-brown stripes. The upper body is grey, the underparts are blackish. The body is massive. The crown of the first posterior tooth of the upper jaw is 2-3 times larger than the crown of the carnivorous tooth: its longitudinal and transverse diameters are almost equal (Fig. 107, a).

Badgers

8(7) There are no black stripes on the sides of the head. Coloring is different. The body is elongated. The crown of the first posterior tooth of the upper jaw is smaller or slightly larger than the crown of the carnivorous tooth: its longitudinal diameter is much smaller than the transverse one (Fig. 107, b).

Rice. 107. The molars of the upper jaw of a badger (a) and charza (b)):
1 - predatory tooth; 2 - first posterior tooth

9(10) The size of the animal is large: the body length is more than 75 cm. The coloration is brown or brown with lighter stripes running from the head along the sides of the body to the tail. The skull is large and massive: its condylobasal length is more than 110 mm. The axes of the carnivorous teeth of the upper jaw are approximately parallel to each other (Fig. 108, a).

Wolverines

Rice. 108. Skulls of wolverine (a) and kharza (b):
I and II - axes of the dentition

10(9) Smaller sizes: body length up to 75 cm. Coloration is different. The condylobasal length of the skull is less than 110 mm. The axes of the carnivorous teeth of the upper jaw diverge somewhat posteriorly (Fig. 108b).

11(12) Upper lip and the end of the muzzle brown or brown. Ear length over 35 mm. The auricle is triangular in shape. There is a light spot on the chest. The condylobasal length of the skull is more than 71 mm. There are 5 molars in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower jaw on each side.

Martens

12(11) The upper lip and the end of the muzzle are white (only in the American mink acclimatized in the USSR they are brown). The auricle is small, rounded; its length is not more than 35 mm. There is usually no light spot on the chest. The condylobasal length of the skull is less than 71 mm. There are 4 molars in the upper jaw and 5 in the lower jaw on each side.

13(14) Dorsum brown with pattern of small yellowish spots and stripes. On inside the lower predatory tooth has an additional top (Fig. 109).

Dressings

Rice. 109. Predatory tooth of the lower jaw of ligation:
1 - additional top

14(13) Back of a different color. There is no additional apex on the inner side of the lower carnivorous tooth.

caresses

genus sea otters

The only view.

sea ​​otter

(Kuril and Commander Islands off the coast of Kamchatka. An inhabitant of the sea coast, most of the time staying at sea. He roams strongly. Pregnancy lasts 8-9 months. The female will give birth to 1, rarely 2 cubs on coastal rocks, but soon leaves with the newborn to the sea. Eats sea ​​urchins and stars, shellfish, fish, crabs. Fur is highly valued. Mining is prohibited to restore stocks.)

GENUS OF OTTER

In fauna Soviet Union one kind.

Otter

(Almost the entire territory of the USSR, except for desert regions. Lives along the banks of rivers, lakes and seas in holes. In spring, females bring 2-5 cubs. Maturity occurs at the 2-3rd year of life. It feeds on fish, frogs, crayfish, small animals Valuable fur animal.)

HONEYBAD GENUS

There is only one species in the fauna of our country.

honey badger

(Turkmenistan. rare beast our fauna. It lives in desert mountains and foothills and among hilly sands. Lives in burrows. Nocturnal animal. Reproduction has not been studied. It feeds on small animals, lizards, insects, fruits.)

GENUS OF BADSURS

There is only one species in the fauna of the USSR.

Badger

(South and middle lane countries to the north to the Karelian ASSR, Komi ASSR, the Northern Urals, the Podkamennaya Tunguska basin, the valley of the river. Vilyui, the mouth of the river. Cupid. Inhabits a variety of lands, both on the plain and in the mountains. Lives in burrows. Nocturnal animal. It hibernates for the winter. In spring, females after 9-12 monthly pregnancy give birth to 2-6 cubs. They become sexually mature at the age of 2-3. Eats small mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, worms, berries, fruits. Gives valuable hair and fat.)

KIND OF WOLVERINE

The only view.

Wolverine

(The forest belt of the USSR from Karelia to Kamchatka. An inhabitant of the taiga forests, enters the tundra. He arranges his lair under a rock, under a fallen tree, in a windbreak. In hibernation does not fall. Young, in the amount of 1-4 pieces, appear in the den in February-April. It feeds on the corpses of animals and independently produces small and medium-sized animals, birds, and amphibians. Fur is of little value.)

GENUS OF MARTEN

There are 4 species in the fauna of the USSR.

TABLE FOR IDENTIFYING SPECIES OF THE GENUS OF MARTNES

1(6) The entire back is of the same color - sand, brown or brown. The length of the tail without hair is not more than 1/2 of the body length. The tail is fluffy. Body length no more than 60 cm. Condylobasal skull length up to 100 mm (subgenus Martes).

2(3) The length of the tail with terminal hairs is usually less than 1/2 the length of the body. The end of the tail barely protrudes beyond the ends of the hind legs extended backwards. Throat spot with indistinct, as if blurred borders or has the form of a small orange star (Fig. 110, a). The top of the head is usually lighter than the back. The distance between the tympanic chambers of the skull in the area of ​​the openings of the carotid arteries is not more than 1/2 of the length of these chambers (Fig. 111, a).

Sable

(Northern Urals, taiga zone of Siberia and Far East. Typical taiga animal. Lives in hollows, in windfall, among placers of stones. The rut takes place in June - July. Pregnancy lasts 253-297 days. In April - May, females will give birth to 2-7 cubs. It feeds on small animals, birds, insects, berries, pine nuts. Fur is highly valued. An important object of the fur trade.)

Rice. 110. Throat spots and tails of sable (a), pine marten (b) and stone marten (c)

3(2) The length of the tail with terminal hairs is more than 1/2 the length of the body. The end of the tail protrudes considerably beyond the ends of the hind legs extended backwards. The throat patch is large, sharply limited (Fig. 110, b, c). The top of the head is the same color as the back. The distance between the tympanic chambers of the skull in the area of ​​the openings of the carotid arteries is more than 1/2 of the length of these chambers (Fig. 111, b, c).

Rice. 111. Rear end skulls (bottom) of sable (a), pine marten (b) and stone marten (c) :
1 - auditory drums

4(5) Throat patch usually pure white; behind it bifurcates and descends to the front surfaces of the legs (Fig. 110, c). The length of the tail with hair is more than 55% of the body length, its color is noticeably darker than the color of the back. The pads of the fingers are almost bare. The third anterior tooth of the upper jaw without a clearly defined protrusion on the inner side (Fig. 112, b).

Stone marten

(Baltic states, Belarus, Ukraine, Caucasus, Central Asia, Altai. More common in mountainous areas. It settles in forests, rocks and gorges of mountains, in thickets of bushes, parks, human buildings. Lives in hollows, crevices of rocks, between stones of placers, in attics. Gon in June - July. Pregnancy lasts 8-9 months. In spring, females bring 1-8 cubs. It feeds on small vertebrates, insects, berries, fruits. Valuable fur animal.)

Rice. 112. Molar teeth of the upper jaw of (a) forest and (b) stone martens;
1 - fourth anterior tooth

5(4) Throat patch usually yellow or orange; behind it continues with a wedge between the front paws (Fig. 110, b). The length of the tail with hair is less than 55% of the body length. The color of the tail differs little from the color of the back. The pads of the fingers are covered with hair in winter. The third anterior tooth of the upper jaw with a protrusion on the inner side (Fig. 112, a).

pine marten

(Forest and forest-steppe zone European part of the USSR, Urals and Trans-Urals, Caucasus. Lives in forests different type. Lives in hollows, nests of squirrels and large birds, among windfall. Most of the year it roams. Gon in the summer. The duration of pregnancy is 230-270 days. There are 2-8 cubs in a litter. Feeds on small vertebrates, insects, berries. High quality fur.)

6(1) Fore-dorsal yellow, posterior blackish, tail black. The length of the tail without hair is more than 1/2 of the length of the body. Body length over 60 cm. Condylobasal skull length over 100 mm (subgenus Charonia).

Kharza

(Amur Region and Primorye. Keeps mainly in mountain forests. Mating in summer. In spring, females give birth to 2-4 cubs. Feeds various mammals and birds as large as musk deer and capercaillie. The value of the skin is low.)

KIND OF LADING

Only one kind.

dressing

(Steppes and deserts from Ukraine to Western Siberia and Central Asia. Lives in minks. Young, 4-14 in number, will be born in March-April. Eats small rodents, birds, lizards. The skin is worthless.)

KIND OF WEASCE

There are 8 species in the fauna of the USSR.

TABLE FOR IDENTIFYING THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS OF LASOKES

1(4) Winter fur usually white (tip of tail sometimes black). Summer hairline (and winter in southern forms) is brown on the back, and white or yellow on the belly; the border between the dark color of the back and the light color of the belly is sharp, rectilinear. The transverse diameter of the infraorbital foramen is equal to or greater than the longitudinal diameter of the socket of the upper canine (Fig. 113, a, b) (subgenus Mustela).

Rice. 113. Skulls (front) of ermine (a), weasel (b), column (c) and solongoy (d):
1 - infraorbital holes

2(3) Tail coloration is usually white in winter, brown in summer (and in winter in southern specimens as well); sometimes at the very tip of it there is a little black hair. Tail with hair shorter than 1/2 body length. The width of the skull above the canines is approximately equal to the width of the interorbital space. The transverse diameter of the infraorbital foramen is equal to the longitudinal diameter of the canine alveolus (Fig. 113b).

weasel

(Almost the entire territory of the USSR. Inhabits a wide variety of lands. Females bring 3-12 young in spring. It feeds mainly on small rodents, bringing benefits agriculture.)

3(2) In both summer and winter, the terminal third or half of the tail is black or black-brown. The length of the tail with hair is equal to or more than 1/2 the length of the body. The width of the skull above the canines is noticeably less than the width of the interorbital space. The transverse diameter of the infraorbital foramen is greater than the longitudinal diameter of the canine alveolus (Fig. 113, a).

Ermine

(The entire territory of the USSR, except for the deserts of Central Asia, Transcaucasia and Crimea. Inhabits a wide variety of lands, but is more numerous in floodplains. Lives in minks and various temporary shelters. In spring, females bring 3-14 cubs. Fur usually turns white in winter. Feeds small animals, birds, amphibians, fish, insects, berries, carrion. Valuable fur animal.)

4(1) Other colors. The coloration of the back and belly is not sharply separated from each other, gradually turning into one another. The transverse diameter of the infraorbital foramen is less than the longitudinal diameter of the canine alveolus (Fig. 113, c, d).

5(8) The coloration of the whole body is bright red, brownish red or sandy. The inner edges of the auditory tympani stretch more or less parallel to each other (Fig. 114, a) (subgenus Kolonocus).

Rice. 114. The back of the skull column (a) and ferret (b) (bottom):
1 - auditory drums

6(7) Body length of adults over 26 cm. Lips and chin are pure white, their coloration is sharply demarcated from that of adjacent parts of the head. The condylobasal length of the skull of males is more than 55 mm, and that of females is more than 50 mm.

Kolonok

(Urals, Siberia, Primorye, Far East, except for Kamchatka. Occurs in forests, floodplains, among placers of stones in the mountains, in forest pegs in the forest-steppe, near villages. Lives in minks, sometimes in hollows. Gon in early spring. Pregnancy lasts about 1 month. There are 2-10 cubs in a litter. Feeds on small vertebrates, insects, berries. Gives a good fur coat.)

7(6) Body length less than 26 cm. Lips and chin are whitish, their color gradually changes into sand coloring of neighboring parts of the head. The condylobasal length of the skull in males is less than 55 mm, in females less than 50 mm.

Solongoy

(Pamir, Tien Shan, mountains of East Kazakhstan, South Siberia, South part Far East. Lives among placers of stones on mountain slopes, in mountain forests, river floodplains, reed thickets along lakes, near settlements and in open steppe. She hides in burrows. In spring, females bring 5-8 young. The main food is small rodents. Commercial value is small.)

8(5) Coloration neither red nor sandy. The inner edges of the auditory drums diverge somewhat behind (Fig. 114, b).

9(12) The coloration of the whole body is brown, brown or reddish-brown, only on the lips, chin and chest there are sometimes white spots. Ears without a light border. The frontal area of ​​the skull is flattened. The width of the skull in the region of the auditory canals is approximately 1/2 of the condylobasal length of the skull (subgenus Lutreola).

10(11) Upper lip covered with white hairs. The length of the tail with hair is approximately 1/3 of the length of the body. The least width of the skull behind the postorbital processes is equal to or greater than the width of the interorbital space. The third anterior tooth of the upper jaw with its end comes into contact with the anterior edge of the outer lobe of the carnassial tooth (Fig. 115, a).

European mink

(The European part of the USSR, except for the Far North, the Caucasus, the Urals. Keeps near water bodies. Burrows digs in the banks. Swims well. Rutting in February - March. Pregnancy lasts 35-80 days. There are 2-7 cubs in the litter. It feeds on small rodents, frogs , fish, crayfish, insects, mollusks, berries (Gives a valuable skin.)

Rice. 115. Third and fourth anterior teeth of the upper jaw of (a) European and (b) American minks

11(10) Upper lip covered with dark fur. The length of the tail is approximately 1/2 the length of the body. The least width of the skull behind the postorbital processes is less than the width of the interorbital space. The third anterior tooth of the upper jaw, with its posterior end, enters the recess between the outer and inner lobes of the carnassial tooth (Fig. 115, b).

American mink

(Acclimatized in a number of areas of the southern part of the Far East, Southern Siberia, mountains of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Tataria, Bashkiria, Karelia. In terms of lifestyle, it is close to the European mink.)

12(9) The coloration of the back is sharply different from that of the abdomen. Legs, chest and groins are covered with black-brown or brown fur. Ears with light edges. The frontal area of ​​the skull is convex. The width of the skull in the region of the auditory canals is much greater than 1/2 of its condylobasal length (subgenus Rutorius).

13(14) Tail black or black-brown throughout. On the back, a black awn hides a light undercoat. The belly is blackish. The area of ​​the skull behind the postorbital processes without a sharp narrowing in the middle, with almost parallel lateral margins (Fig. 116b).

Ferret black

(The European part of the USSR, except for the northern regions, the Urals. Settles in forests, copses, thickets of bushes, floodplains, parks, villages. Lives in holes and other shelters. In the spring, after a 40-day pregnancy, females will give birth to 2-12 young. Feeds on small vertebrates, insects, sometimes attacks domestic birds and rabbits.

Rice. 116. Skulls of light (a) and black (b) ferrets

14(13) The tail is light at the base and blackish at the end. On the back, the light undercoat is clearly visible between the dark ends of the guard hairs. The belly is light, with blackish spots in the groin and between the front legs. The region of the skull behind the postorbital processes narrows sharply in the middle part (Fig. 116a).

Ferret light

(The steppe and forest-steppe zones from Ukraine to the Amur, the plains of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. Keeps in the open steppe and in semi-desert areas. Lives in burrows. In spring, females give birth to 6-18 cubs. Benefits by the extermination of harmful rodents. Hunts for the skin.)

Despite the generally accepted tendency that all animals belonging to the same family share similar traits, the mustelid family is an exception to this. On this moment it consists of twenty-three modern species who live in Eurasia, North and South America, as well as Africa. They are the smallest of all carnivores.

General characteristics of mustelids

In the mustelid family there are many representatives of different habitats, there are aquatic and semi-aquatic species, terrestrial. Among general characteristics, which animals of this family possess, should be said about an elongated and flexible body, located on relatively short legs with five fingers on each.

The neck is mobile, the head is small. In addition, you need to pay attention to the front of the skull, which is a little shortened. Body length 11 - 150cm, and weight from 25g to 45kg. It should also be emphasized that the mustelid family is not only representatives of the predatory animal world, it is also omnivorous animals of rather small sizes.

All have good eyesight, hearing and smell. All of them are mobile and dexterous. Some can swim great, some can climb trees.

Members of the marten family

Among the most well-known representatives this family should be called:

  • pine marten;
  • badger;
  • mink;
  • sable;
  • otter
  • caress;
  • wolverine;
  • ermine.

Features of representatives of the marten family


First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the skin of the above-mentioned representatives of the animal world is covered in most cases with thick and thin wool (it is for this reason that they are the most expensive fur animals). The color is varied - spotted, plain, striped. Fur colors are white, black, brown, red.

As for the dental system and the structure of their limbs, they are quite diverse and there is no common characteristic. Teeth in mustelids can be from 28 to 38 pieces. In sea otters, for example, the hind legs are flippers. The claws of mustelids are not retractable.

It should be said about the surprisingly impressive skeleton, which consists of extremely thin bones. The spinal column itself has: 11 or 12 pairs of ribs in the chest area; 8 or 9 vertebrae in the lumbar region; 3 sacral vertebrae; from 12 to 26 tail vertebrae. In most cases, the clavicles in these animals are not sufficiently developed, but the shoulder blades are large.

Mustelid habitat

Today, representatives of the mustelid family can be found all over the world, with the exception of Australia: they are not affected by different heights and different climatic conditions. In most cases, the above animals choose their place of residence in:

  • mountains and rocky areas;
  • forests and fields;
  • gardens.

Lifestyle. Nutrition

Almost all animals from the mustelid family lead a solitary lifestyle. Prefer twilight or night activity. Very often, representatives of this family prefer to use burrows and pits that they dig out on their own or simply occupy those that were created by other animals.

Some species like to equip their dwellings between stones and branches, in hollows of trees. In most cases, they do not hibernate: only some species from the weasel family. It is almost impossible to meet them in the wild. All martens are shy and cautious.

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05/05/2016 at 19:49 Moscow time 8 574

Mustelids are a family of mammals belonging to the order of carnivores. The marten family is one of the most diverse species in terms of number - there are about 60 of them.

List

They are famous for their agility and agility, as well as the presence of luxurious and valuable fur.

Appearance

The body size is quite small for predators. The largest body length is the sea otter (up to one and a half meters), the smallest is the little weasel (from 11 centimeters). Males are larger than females.

Predators of the weasel family have an elongated and very flexible body with short limbs. Animals adapted to live in aquatic environment(in otters), there are swimming membranes between the fingers.

The head is small, wedge-shaped. The neck is short, but very mobile. The predatory marten family has a powerful jaw, well-developed pointed teeth and sharp claws on the paws that help not only hunt small animals, but also protect themselves from large predators and humans.

home distinguishing feature These animals have luxurious thick fur with a soft undercoat. Its color can be different:

  • plain
  • bicolor
  • spotted
  • striped

The quality of the fur of the mustelid family differs depending on the time of year - in winter it is softer and thicker.

Habitat

Mustelids live on all continents except Antarctica. Thanks to the ability to adapt to a variety of conditions, they can be found on the ground, on trees, in rock gorges and in water bodies. Due to the active hunting of the mustelid family, their range and number is gradually decreasing.

Lifestyle and nutrition

Mustelids most often live alone, sometimes in pairs or families, and only as an exception they gather in small flocks. Lead sedentary life within its territory. During the day they rest, and at dusk they go hunting.

Thanks to natural dexterity, the ability to climb trees and swim, the diet of mustelids is very diverse. Animals prefer to feed on rodents, small birds, bird eggs, fish and . Many nimble and agile predators hunt their prey by climbing right into their burrows. Some enjoy eating nuts and berries.

In order to more easily survive the winter lack of food, predatory animals stock up for the winter. Stoats and weasels stack several dozen mice in a row, horis are hidden under ice, and minks store up to several kilograms of fish.

reproduction

Pregnancy lasts an average of one to two months. From one to fourteen cubs are born. Small predators of the weasel family are born helpless, naked and blind.

During the first two months, mothers take care of them, feed and keep them warm. At the age of one or two years, the animals become adults. Their life expectancy is five to twenty years.

Systematics

Representatives of the marten family are an important element the food chain- they regulate the number of small rodents and birds.

Ferrets and weasels living near settlements, steal poultry and their eggs, causing harm to agriculture. They themselves serve as food for wolves, foxes, eagles, and owls. Some individuals carry infectious diseases including rabies.

The thick and soft fur of mustelids is used to make fur coats. Mink and sable are considered the most popular game fur animals.

Red Book

As a result of intensive hunting, many animal families have already completely exterminated, about 40% are listed in the International Red Book. In order to preserve the number of valuable mammals, many of them are grown on special farms.