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BADGERS OF THE WORLD
Evolution Of The Mustelids
Mustelids evolved from the miacids, making their appearance during the early Miocene epoch 25 million years ago. The earliest known relative of the badger was a fast swimming otter like animal known as Potamotherium. It was abundant in the freshwater lakes of central France. In the Pliocene era, a mustelid from the genus Melododon was found in China and it is from this species that today's European Badger (Meles meles) is thought to have evolved.
The earliest fossil remains of the European badger (Meles meles) have been dated as far back as 2 million years ago, although fossil evidence in the United Kingdom only dates back as far as 250,000 years ago.
Classification
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Subfamily: Melinae (true badgers)
1. European badger (Meles meles)
2. American badger (Taxidea taxus)
3. Hog badger (Arctonyx collaris)
4. Palawan or Calamian stink badger (Suillotaxus marchei)
5. Teledu or Indonesian stink badger (Mydaus javensis)
6. Ferret badgers
6.1. Short toothed ferret badger or Chinese ferret badger (Melogale mosquata)
6.2. Large toothed ferret badger or Burmese ferret badger (Melogale personata)
6.3. Borneo ferret badger or Everett's ferret badger (Melogale everetti)
Subfamily: Mellivorinae
7. Honey badger (Mellivora capensisi)
Other members of the badger family include: Weasels, Skunks, Otters, Ermines (Stoats), Martens, Wolverines and Ferrets. |
