Six extant mustelid genera left-to-right, top-to-bottom: Martes, Meles, Lutra, Gulo, Mustela, and Mellivora

Mustelidae is a family of mammals in the order Carnivora, which includes weasels, badgers, otters, ferrets, martens, minks, and wolverines, and many other extant and extinct genera. A member of this family is called a mustelid; Mustelidae is the largest family in Carnivora, and its extant species are divided into eight subfamilies. They are found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia, and are a diverse family; sizes range, including tails, from the widespread 17 cm (7 in) least weasel to the 1.8-meter (6 ft) giant otter of Amazonian South America. Habitats vary widely as well, from the arboreal marten to the fossorial European badger to the marine sea otter. Population sizes are largely unknown, though two species, the sea mink and Japanese otter, were hunted to extinction in 1894 and 1979, respectively, and several other species are endangered. Some species have been domesticated, e.g. the ferret and some populations of the South American tayra. Mustelidae is one of the oldest families in Carnivora; early mustelids first appeared around 28–33 million years ago.^[1]

The 23 genera and 63 extant species of Mustelidae are split into 8 subfamilies: Guloninae, martens and wolverines; Helictidinae, ferret-badgers; Ictonychinae, African polecats and grisons; Lutrinae, otters; Melinae, Eurasian badgers; Mellivorinae, the honey badger; Mustelinae, weasels and minks; and Taxidiinae, the American badger. In addition to the extant subfamilies, Mustelidae includes three extinct subfamilies designated as Leptarctinae, Mustelavinae, and Oligobuninae. Extinct species have also been placed into all of the extant subfamilies besides Helictidinae, in both extant and extinct genera; around 200 extinct Mustelidae species have been found, as well as fossil genera not given a species name, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.

Conventions

Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the mustelid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†". Population figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

Classification

The family Mustelidae consists of 63 extant species belonging to 23 genera and divided into hundreds of extant subspecies, as well the extinct sea mink and Japanese otter, which are the only mustelid species to become extinct since prehistoric times. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. Modern molecular studies indicate that the 23 genera can be grouped into 8 subfamilies. Some prior classification schemes divided the family solely between the aquatic otters and all other species.

Mustelids

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis; this includes reclassifying Guloninae, Helictidinae, Ictonychinae, Melinae, Mellivorinae, and Taxidiinae as subfamilies rather than as part of a paraphyletic group with Mustelinae

Subfamily Guloninae

Main article: Guloninae

Genus Eira – Hamilton Smith, 1842 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Tayra	E. barbara (Linnaeus, 1758) Seven subspecies E. b. barbara E. b. inserta E. b. madeirensis E. b. peruana E. b. poliocephala E. b. senex E. b. sinuensis	Central America, Trinidad in the Caribbean, and northern South America	Size: 60–70 cm (24–28 in) long, plus 35–45 cm (14–18 in) tail[2] Habitat: Forest and savanna[3] Diet: Primarily eats fruit, carrion, small vertebrates, insects, and honey[3]	LC  Unknown [3]

Genus Gulo – Pallas, 1780 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Wolverine	G. gulo (Linnaeus, 1758) Two subspecies G. g. luscus (American wolverine) G. g. gulo (Eurasian wolverine)	Arctic North America, Europe, and Asia	Size: 70–105 cm (28–41 in) long, plus 18–26 cm (7–10 in) tail[4] Habitat: Rocky areas, shrubland, forest, and grassland[5] Diet: Primarily eats carrion and small to large mammals[5]	LC  Unknown [5]

Genus Martes – Pinel, 1792 – seven species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
American marten	M. americana (Turton, 1806) Fourteen subspecies M. a. abieticola M. a. abietinoides M. a. actuosa M. a. americana M. a. atrata (Newfoundland pine marten) M. a. brumalis M. a. caurina M. a. humboldtensis (Humboldt marten) M. a. kenaiensis M. a. nesophila M. a. origenes M. a. sierrae M. a. vancouverensis M. a. vulpina	Northern North America (includes range of Pacific marten)	Size: 46–66 cm (18–26 in) long, plus 13–16 cm (5–6 in) tail[6] Habitat: Forest[7] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and small mammals, as well as birds, insects, fruit, and carrion[7]	LC  Unknown [7]
Beech marten	M. foina (Erxleben, 1777) Eleven subspecies M. f. bosniaca (Balkan beech marten) M. f. bunites (Cretan beech marten) M. f. foina (European beech marten) M. f. intermedia (Middle Asian beech marten) M. f. kozlovi (Tibetan beech marten) M. f. mediterranea (Iberian beech marten) M. f. milleri (Rhodes beech marten) M. f. nehringi (Caucasian beech marten) M. f. rosanowi (Crimean beech marten) M. f. syriaca (Syrian beech marten) M. f. toufoeus (Lhasa beech marten)	Europe and central Asia	Size: 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long, plus 22–30 cm (9–12 in) tail[8] Habitat: Forest, rocky areas, and shrubland[9] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and small mammals, as well as birds, insects, fruit, and carrion[9]	LC  Unknown [9]
European pine marten	M. martes (Linnaeus, 1758) Seven subspecies M. m. borealis M. m. latinorum M. m. lorenzi M. m. minoricensis M. m. notialis M. m. ruthena M. m. uralensis	Europe and west Asia	Size: 48–58 cm (19–23 in) long, plus 16–28 cm (6–11 in) tail[10] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[11] Diet: Primarily eats small mammals, birds, and amphibians, as well as carrion[11]	LC  Unknown [11]
Japanese marten	M. melampus (Wagner, 1841) Two subspecies M. m. melampus M. m. tsuensis	Japan (M. m. melampus in green, M. m. tsuensis in red (Tsushima Island))	Size: 47–55 cm (19–22 in) long, plus 17–22 cm (7–9 in) tail[12] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[13] Diet: Primarily eats fruit, small mammals, and insects[13]	LC  Unknown [13]
Nilgiri marten	M. gwatkinsii Horsfield, 1851	Parts of southern India	Size: 55–65 cm (22–26 in) long, plus 40–45 cm (16–18 in) tail[14] Habitat: Forest and grassland[15] Diet: Primarily eats birds, small mammals, and insects[15]	VU  1,000 [15]
Sable	M. zibellina (Linnaeus, 1758) Sixteen subspecies M. z. angarensis M. z. arsenjevi M. z. averini M. z. brachyura M. z. ilimpiensis M. z. jakutensis M. z. kamtschadalica M. z. obscura M. z. princeps M. z. sahalinensis M. z. sajanensis M. z. schantaricus M. z. tomensis M. z. tungussensis M. z. yeniseensis M. z. zibellina	Large parts of Russia	Size: 38–56 cm (15–22 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail[16] Habitat: Forest[17] Diet: Primarily eats small mammals, birds, nuts, and berries[17]	LC  2 million [17]
Yellow-throated marten	M. flavigula (Boddaert, 1785) Nine subspecies M. f. borealis M. f. chrysospila M. f. flavigula M. f. hainana M. f. henrici M. f. indochinensis M. f. peninsularis M. f. robinsoni M. f. saba	Eastern and southeastern Asia	Size: 50–72 cm (20–28 in) long, plus 33–48 cm (13–19 in) tail[18] Habitat: Forest and grassland[19] Diet: Primarily eats birds, small mammals, and insects[19]	LC  Unknown [19]

Genus Pekania – Gray, 1865 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Fisher	P. pennanti (Erxleben, 1777)	Northern North America	Size: 75–120 cm (30–47 in) long, plus 31–41 cm (12–16 in) tail[20] Habitat: Forest[21] Diet: Primarily eats small to medium mammals, birds, and carrion[21]	LC  Unknown [21]

Subfamily Helictidinae

Main article: Helictidinae

Genus Melogale – I. Saint-Hilaire, 1831 – five species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Bornean ferret-badger	M. everetti (Thomas, 1895)	Small parts of Borneo	Size: 33–44 cm (13–17 in) long, plus 15–23 cm (6–9 in) tail[22] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[23] Diet: Primarily eats invertebrates, amphibians, insects, fruit, and carrion[22][23]	EN  Unknown [23]
Burmese ferret-badger	M. personata I. Saint-Hilaire, 1831 Five subspecies M. p. laotum M. p. nipalensis M. p. personata M. p. pierrei M. p. tonquinia	Southeast Asia	Size: 33–44 cm (13–17 in) long, plus 15–23 cm (6–9 in) tail[24] Habitat: Grassland, shrubland, and forest[25] Diet: Primarily eats insects and snails, as well as small mammals, frogs, lizards, carrion, birds, eggs, and fruit[24][25]	LC  Unknown [25]
Chinese ferret-badger	M. moschata (Gray, 1831) Seven subspecies M. m. ferreogrisea M. m. hainanensis M. m. millsi M. m. moschata M. m. sorella M. m. subaurantiaca M. m. taxilla	East Asia	Size: 30–43 cm (12–17 in) long, plus 15–21 cm (6–8 in) tail[26] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[27] Diet: Primarily eats insects, frogs, and carrion[27]	LC  Unknown [27]
Javan ferret-badger	M. orientalis (Blanford, 1888) Two subspecies M. o. orientalis M. o. sundaicus	Parts of Java and Indonesia	Size: 35–40 cm (14–16 in) long, plus 14–17 cm (6–7 in) tail[28] Habitat: Shrubland and forest[29] Diet: Primarily eats invertebrates and insects[28][29]	LC  Unknown [29]
Vietnam ferret-badger	M. cucphuongensis T. Nadler, 2011	Vietnam	Size: Unknown Habitat: Forest[30] Diet: Unknown[30]	DD  Unknown [30]

Subfamily Ictonychinae

Main article: Ictonychinae

Genus Galictis – Bell, 1826 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Greater grison	G. vittata (Schreber, 1776) Four subspecies G. v. andina G. v. brasiliensis G. v. canaster G. v. vittata	Northern South America and Central America	Size: 60–76 cm (24–30 in) long, including tail[31] Habitat: Forest and grassland[32] Diet: Primarily eats small mammals, birds, lizards, amphibians, eggs, and fruit[32]	LC  Unknown [32]
Lesser grison	G. cuja (Molina, 1782) Four subspecies G. c. cuja G. c. furax G. c. huronax G. c. luteola	Southern South America	Size: 28–51 cm (11–20 in) long, plus 12–20 cm (5–8 in) tail[33] Habitat: Inland wetlands, forest, grassland, and savanna[34] Diet: Primarily eats small lagomorphs and rodents, as well as birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, and eggs[34]	LC  Unknown [34]

Genus Ictonyx – Kaup, 1835 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Striped polecat	I. striatus (Molina, 1782) Nineteen subspecies I. s. albescens I. s. arenarius I. s. elgonis I. s. erythreae I. s. ghansiensis I. s. giganteus I. s. intermedius I. s. kalaharicus I. s. lancasteri I. s. limpopoensis I. s. maximus I. s. obscuratus I. s. orangiae I. s. ovamboensis I. s. pretoriae I. s. senegalensis I. s. shoae I. s. shortridgei I. s. striatus	Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa	Size: 28–30 cm (11–12 in) long, plus 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tail[35] Habitat: Grassland, savanna, desert, and shrubland[36] Diet: Primarily eats insects[36]	LC  Unknown [36]
Saharan striped polecat	I. libycus (Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833) Four subspecies I. l. libyca I. l. multivittata I. l. oralis I. l. rothschildi	Northern, western, and southern edges of the Sahara	Size: 40–47 cm (16–19 in) long, plus 16–19 cm (6–7 in) tail[37] Habitat: Shrubland and desert[38] Diet: Primarily eats rodents, small mammals, birds, fish, and insects[37][38]	LC  Unknown [38]

Genus Lyncodon – Gervais, 1845 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Patagonian weasel	L. patagonicus (Blainville, 1842) Two subspecies L. p. patagonicus L. p. thomasi	Argentina	Size: 30–35 cm (12–14 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail[39] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and forest[40] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and birds[40]	LC  Unknown [40]

Genus Poecilogale – Thomas, 1883 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
African striped weasel	P. albinucha (Gray, 1864) Five subspecies P. a. albinucha P. a. bechuanae P. a. doggetti P. a. lebombo P. a. transvaalensis	Southern Africa	Size: 25–36 cm (10–14 in) long, plus 13–23 cm (5–9 in) tail[41] Habitat: Shrubland, forest, savanna, and grassland[42] Diet: Primarily eats small mammals, rodents, and birds, as well as snakes and insects[41][42]	LC  Unknown [42]

Genus Vormela – Blasius, 1884 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Marbled polecat	V. peregusna (Güldenstädt, 1864) Five subspecies V. p. koshewnikowi V. p. negans V. p. pallidior V. p. peregusna V. p. syriaca	Southeast Europe and central Asia	Size: 28–48 cm (11–19 in) long, plus 14–20 cm (6–8 in) tail[43] Habitat: Desert, rocky areas, grassland, and shrubland[44] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and birds[44]	VU  Unknown [44]

Subfamily Lutrinae

Main article: Lutrinae

Genus Aonyx – Lesson, 1827 – three species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
African clawless otter	A. capensis Schinz, 1821 Five subspecies A. c. capensis (Cape clawless otter) A. c. hindei A. c. meneleki A. c. microdon A. c. philippsi	Sub-Saharan Africa	Size: 72–95 cm (28–37 in) long, plus 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tail[45] Habitat: Forest, inland wetlands, neritic marine, coastal marine, intertidal marine, and grassland[46] Diet: Primarily eats crabs and lobsters, as well as frogs, fish, and insects[45][46]	NT  Unknown [46]
Asian small-clawed otter	A. cinereus (Illiger, 1815) Three subspecies A. c. cinereus A. c. concolor A. c. nirnai	Southeast Asia	Size: 40–63 cm (16–25 in) long, plus 25–35 cm (10–14 in) tail[47] Habitat: Intertidal marine, coastal marine, inland wetlands, forest, shrubland, neritic marine, and grassland[48] Diet: Primarily eats crabs, molluscs, insects, and small fish, as well as rodents, snakes, and amphibians[48]	VU  Unknown [48]
Congo clawless otter	A. congicus (Lönnberg, 1910)	Sub-Saharan Africa	Size: 79–95 cm (31–37 in) long, plus 50–56 cm (20–22 in) tail[49] Habitat: Forest, inland wetlands, and marine[50] Diet: Unknown[50]	NT  Unknown [50]

Genus Enhydra – Fleming, 1828 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Sea otter	E. lutris (Linnaeus, 1758) Three subspecies E. l. kenyoni (Northern sea otter) E. l. lutris (Asian sea otter) E. l. nereis (Southern sea otter)	Northern Pacific coasts	Size: 55–130 cm (22–51 in) long, plus 12–33 cm (5–13 in) tail[51] Habitat: Neritic marine and oceanic marine[52] Diet: Primarily eats marine invertebrates, as well as fish[52]	EN  125,000 [52]

Genus Hydrictis – Pocock, 1921 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Spotted-necked otter	H. maculicollis (Lichtenstein, 1835)	Much of sub-Saharan Africa	Size: 57–69 cm (22–27 in) long, plus 33–44 cm (13–17 in) tail[53] Habitat: Inland wetlands, neritic marine, forest, coastal marine, and intertidal marine[54] Diet: Primarily eats frogs, crabs and small water birds[53][54]	NT  Unknown [54]

Genus Lontra – Gray, 1843 – four species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
North American river otter	L. canadensis (Schreber, 1777) Seven subspecies L. c. canadensis L. c. kodiacensis L. c. lataxina L. c. mira L. c. pacifica L. c. periclyzomae L. c. sonora	United States and Canada, possibly Mexico	Size: 66–107 cm (26–42 in) long, plus 31–46 cm (12–18 in) tail[55] Habitat: Inland wetlands, intertidal marine, neritic marine, and coastal marine[56] Diet: Primarily eats fish, as well as amphibians and crustaceans[56]	LC  Unknown [56]
Southern river otter	L. provocax (Thomas, 1908)	Southern Chile and Argentina	Size: 57–70 cm (22–28 in) long, plus 35–46 cm (14–18 in) tail[57] Habitat: Inland wetlands, coastal marine, neritic marine, and intertidal marine[58] Diet: Primarily eats fish and crustaceans[58]	EN  Unknown [58]
Neotropical otter	L. longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) Three subspecies L. l. annectens L. l. enudris L. l. longicaudis	South and Central America, Trinidad in the Caribbean	Size: 50–79 cm (20–31 in) long, plus 37–57 cm (15–22 in) tail[59] Habitat: Coastal marine, inland wetlands, neritic marine, and intertidal marine[60] Diet: Primarily eats fish, as well as crustaceans, insects, amphibians, and molluscs[60]	NT  Unknown [60]
Marine otter	L. felina (Molina, 1782)	West coast of South America	Size: 57–79 cm (22–31 in) long, plus 30–36 cm (12–14 in) tail[61] Habitat: Coastal marine, intertidal marine, oceanic marine, and neritic marine[62] Diet: Primarily eats crustaceans and molluscs, as well as fish, birds, and small mammals[62]	EN  Unknown [62]

Genus Lutra – Brisson, 1762 – three species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Eurasian otter	L. lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) Eleven subspecies L. l. angustifrons L. l. aurobrunneus L. l. barang L. l. chinensis L. l. hainana L. l. kutab L. l. lutra L. l. meridionalis L. l. monticolus L. l. nair L. l. seistanica	Europe, North Africa, and large regions of Asia	Size: 57–70 cm (22–28 in) long, plus 35–40 cm (14–16 in) tail[63] Habitat: Inland wetlands, forest, grassland, coastal marine, neretic marine, intertidal marine, and shrubland[64] Diet: Primarily eats fish, as well as insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, and crustaceans[64]	NT  Unknown [64]
Hairy-nosed otter	L. sumatrana (Gray, 1865)	Scattered parts of southeast Asia	Size: 50–82 cm (20–32 in) long, plus 35–50 cm (14–20 in) tail[65] Habitat: Inland wetlands, neritic marine, shrubland, grassland, forest, coastal marine, and intertidal marine[66] Diet: Primarily eats fish and water snakes, as well as frogs, lizards, turtles, and crabs[66]	EN  Unknown [66]
Japanese otter†	L. nippon Imaizumi, Yoshiyuki, 1989	formerly Japan (extinct)	Size: 65–80 cm (26–31 in) long, plus 45–50 cm (18–20 in) tail Habitat: Inland wetlands, neritic marine, shrubland, grassland, forest, coastal marine, and intertidal marine Diet: Fish, crabs, shrimp, eels, beetles, fruit	EX  0

Genus Lutrogale – (Gray, 1865) – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Smooth-coated otter	L. perspicillata Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1826 Three subspecies L. p. maxwelli (Iraq smooth–coated otter) L. p. perspicillata L. p. sindica	Iraq, South and southeast Asia	Size: 65–79 cm (26–31 in) long, plus 40–50 cm (16–20 in) tail[67] Habitat: Inland wetlands, forest, grassland, coastal marine, neritic marine, intertidal marine, and shrubland[68] Diet: Primarily eats fish, as well as shrimp, crabs, and insects[68]	VU  Unknown [68]

Genus Pteronura – Gray, 1837 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Giant otter	P. brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1788) Two subspecies P. b. brasiliensis P. b. paraguensis	North and central South America	Size: 96–123 cm (38–48 in) long, plus 45–65 cm (18–26 in) tail[69] Habitat: Inland wetlands, coastal marine, neritic marine, and forest[70] Diet: Primarily eats fish, as well as caiman and turtles[70]	EN  Unknown [70]

Subfamily Melinae

Main article: Melinae

Genus Arctonyx – F.Cuvier, 1825 – three species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Greater hog badger	A. collaris F. Cuvier, 1825 Four subspecies A. c. collaris (Greater hog badger) A. c. consul (Burmese hog badger) A. c. dictator (Indochinese hog badger)	East and southeast Asia (image includes albogularis and hoevenii)	Size: 65–104 cm (26–41 in) long, plus 19–29 cm (7–11 in) tail[71] Habitat: Forest, grassland, shrubland, and savanna[72] Diet: Believed to primarily eat worms[72]	VU  Unknown [72]
Northern hog badger	A. albogularis (Blyth, 1853) Two subspecies A. a. albogularis (Greater hog badger) A. a. leucolaemus (Chinese hog badger)	South and East Asia (image includes collaris and hoevenii)	Size: 55–70 cm (22–28 in) long, plus 11–22 cm (4–9 in) tail[71] Habitat: Forest, bushland, agricultural area, wasteland, and montane grassland[73] Diet: Small vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant material[73]	LC  Unknown [73]
Sumatran hog badger	A. hoevenii (Blyth, 1853)	Sumatra	Size: 51–71 cm (20–28 in) long, plus 8–18 cm (3–7 in) tail[71] Habitat: Montane and mossy forests, montane grasslands[74] Diet: Believed to primarily eat invertebrates[74]	LC  Unknown [74]

Genus Meles – Brisson, 1762 – three species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Asian badger	M. leucurus (Hodgson, 1847) Five subspecies M. l. amurensis (Amur badger) M. l. arenarius (Kazakh badger) M. l. leucurus (Common sand badger) M. l. sibiricus (Siberian badger) M. l. tianschanensis (Tien Shan badger)	Central and east Asia	Size: 49–70 cm (19–28 in) long, plus 13–21 cm (5–8 in) tail[75] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and forest[76] Diet: Omnivorous; eats fruit, nuts, plants, earthworms, insects, eggs, carrion, and small mammals[76]	LC  Unknown [76]
European badger	M. meles (Linnaeus, 1758) Four subspecies M. m. heptneri (Kizlyar badger) M. m. marianensis (Iberian badger) M. m. meles (Common badger) M. m. milleri (Norwegian badger)	Europe (map also includes range of Caucasian badger)	Size: 56–90 cm (22–35 in) long, plus 11–20 cm (4–8 in) tail[77] Habitat: Grassland, forest, desert, and shrubland[78] Diet: Omnivorous; eats fruit, nuts, plants, earthworms, insects, eggs, carrion, and small mammals[78]	LC  Unknown [78]
Japanese badger	M. anakuma Temminck, 1844	Japan	Size: 70–79 cm (28–31 in) long, plus 14–20 cm (6–8 in) tail[79] Habitat: Forest[80] Diet: Primarily eats earthworms and insects, as well as fruit[80]	LC  Unknown [80]

Subfamily Mellivorinae

Main article: Mellivorinae

Genus Mellivora – Gottlieb Conrad Christian Storr, 1780 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Honey badger	M. capensis (Schreber, 1776) Twelve subspecies M. c. abyssinica (Ethiopian ratel) M. c. buechneri (Turkmenian ratel) M. c. capensis (Cape ratel) M. c. concisa (Lake Chad ratel) M. c. cottoni (Black ratel) M. c. inaurita (Nepalese ratel) M. c. indica (Indian ratel) M. c. leuconota (White-backed ratel) M. c. maxwelli (Kenyan ratel) M. c. pumilio (Arabian ratel) M. c. signata (Speckled ratel) M. c. wilsoni (Persian ratel)	Africa, Middle East, and India	Size: 73–96 cm (29–38 in) long, plus 14–23 cm (6–9 in) tail[81] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, savanna, and desert[82] Diet: Primarily eats smaller mammals[82]	LC  Unknown [82]

Subfamily Mustelinae

Main article: Mustelinae

Genus Mustela – Linnaeus, 1758 – fifteen species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Back-striped weasel	M. strigidorsa Gray, 1855	Parts of southeast Asia	Size: 30–36 cm (12–14 in) long, plus 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tail[83] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[84] Diet: Unknown, but believed to eat rodents and insects[83][84]	LC  Unknown [84]
Black-footed ferret	M. nigripes (Audubon, 1851)	Three small areas in central United States	Size: 50–53 cm (20–21 in) long, plus 11–13 cm (4–5 in) tail[85] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[86] Diet: Primarily eats prairie dogs[86]	EN  200 [86]
Egyptian weasel	M. subpalmata Hemprich, 1833	Nile river delta in Egypt	Size: 32–43 cm (13–17 in) long, plus 9–13 cm (4–5 in) tail[87] Habitat: Urban, marine[88] Diet: Primarily eats fruit and vegetables, birds, and insects[89][88]	LC  Unknown [88]
European mink	M. lutreola (Linnaeus, 1761) Seven subspecies M. l. biedermanni (French mink) M. l. binominata M. l. cylipena (Middle European mink) M. l. lutreola (Northern mink) M. l. novikovi (Middle Russian mink) M. l. transsylvanica (Carpathian mink) M. l. turovi (Caucasian mink)	Scattered parts of west Asia and west Europe	Size: 35–43 cm (14–17 in) long, plus 15–19 cm (6–7 in) tail[90] Habitat: Inland wetlands[91] Diet: Primarily eats amphibians, crustaceans, fish, small mammals, insects, and birds[91]	CR  Unknown [91]
European polecat	M. putorius Linnaeus, 1758 Six subspecies M. p. anglia (Welsh polecat) M. p. aureola (Mediterranean polecat) M. p. caledoniae (Scottish polecat)† M. p. mosquensis (Middle Russian polecat) M. p. putorius (Common polecat) M. p. rothschildi (Carpathian polecat)	Europe and west Asia	Size: 29–46 cm (11–18 in) long, plus 8–17 cm (3–7 in) tail[92] Habitat: Inland wetlands, coastal marine, grassland, forest, and shrubland[93] Diet: Primarily eats lagomorphs, rodents, amphibians, and other vertebrates, as well as invertebrates and carrion[93]	LC  Unknown [93]
Ferret	M. furo Linnaeus, 1758	Worldwide distribution (domesticated)	Size: 20–46 cm (8–18 in) long, plus 7–19 cm (3–7 in) tail[94] Habitat: Domesticated Diet: Primarily eats small mammals	NE  Unknown
Indonesian mountain weasel	M. lutreolina Robinson, 1917	Scattered parts of Indonesia	Size: 27–33 cm (11–13 in) long, plus 13–17 cm (5–7 in) tail[95] Habitat: Shrubland and forest[96] Diet: Primarily eats rodents, as well as small mammals, birds, amphibians, and eggs[95][96]	LC  Unknown [96]
Japanese weasel	M. itatsi Temminck, 1844	native to Japan, introduced to Russia (native range in blue, introduced in red (Hokkaido, Sakhalin))	Size: 21–36 cm (8–14 in) long, plus 7–16 cm (3–6 in) tail[97] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and forest[98] Diet: Primarily eats rodents, insects, amphibians, and reptiles[98]	NT  Unknown [98]
Least weasel	M. nivalis Linnaeus, 1766 Seventeen subspecies M. n. allegheniensis (Allegheny weasel) M. n. boccamela (Transcaucasian weasel) M. n. campestris (Plains weasel) M. n. caucasica (Caucasian weasel) M. n. eskimo (Alaskan weasel) M. n. heptneri (Turkmenian weasel) M. n. mosanensis (Korean weasel) M. n. namiyei (Japanese weasel) M. n. nivalis (Common weasel) M. n. numidica (Mediterranean weasel) M. n. pallida (Montane Turkestan weasel) M. n. pygmaea (Siberian least weasel) M. n. rixosa (Bangs' weasel) M. n. rossica M. n. russelliana (Sichuan weasel) M. n. stoliczkana M. n. tonkinensis (Vietnamese weasel) M. n. vulgaris (Middle European weasel)	Europe, Asia, northern Africa, northern North America	Size: 11–26 cm (4–10 in) long, plus 1–9 cm (0–4 in) tail[99] Habitat: Forest, inland wetlands, rocky areas, coastal marine, shrubland, and grassland[100] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and other small mammals as well as eggs, lizards, frogs, salamanders, fish, worms, and carrion[100]	LC  Unknown [100]
Malayan weasel	M. nudipes Desmarest, 1822 Two subspecies M. n. leucocephalus M. n. nudipes	Southeast Asia	Size: 30–36 cm (12–14 in) long, plus 24–26 cm (9–10 in) tail[101] Habitat: Shrubland and forest[102] Diet: Primarily eats rodents, as well as small birds, lizards, and insects[101][102]	LC  Unknown [102]
Mountain weasel	M. altaica Pallas, 1811 Four subspecies M. a. altaica M. a. birulai M. a. raddei M. a. temon	Central Asia and northern India	Size: 22–29 cm (9–11 in) long, plus 9–15 cm (4–6 in) tail[103] Habitat: Shrubland, rocky areas, and grassland[104] Diet: Primarily eats pikas, rodents, small birds, lizards, and insects[104]	NT  Unknown [104]
Siberian weasel	M. sibirica Pallas, 1773 Eleven subspecies M. s. canigula (Tibetan kolonok) M. s. charbinensis (Manchurian kolonok) M. s. coreanus (Korean kolonok) M. s. davidiana (Taiwanese kolonok) M. s. fontanierii (North Chinese kolonok) M. s. hodgsoni (Hodgson's kolonok) M. s. manchurica (Far Eastern kolonok) M. s. moupinensis (Burmese kolonok) M. s. quelpartis (Quelpart kolonok) M. s. sibirica (Siberian kolonok) M. s. subhemachalana (Himalayan kolonok)	North-central and east Asia (native range in green, introduced in red (Japan))	Size: 25–39 cm (10–15 in) long, plus 13–21 cm (5–8 in) tail[105] Habitat: Grassland, shrubland, forest, and rocky areas[106] Diet: Primarily eats small mammals, amphibians, fish, carrion, and pine nuts[106]	LC  Unknown [106]
Steppe polecat	M. eversmanii Lesson, 1827 Seven subspecies M. e. admirata (Chinese steppe polecat) M. e. amurensis (Amur steppe polecat) M. e. eversmanii (Petropavlov steppe polecat) M. e. hungarica (European steppe polecat) M. e. larvatus (Tibetan steppe polecat) M. e. michnoi (Baikal steppe polecat) M. e. talassicus (Turkestan steppe polecat)	Central Asia and eastern Europe	Size: 29–56 cm (11–22 in) long, plus 8–18 cm (3–7 in) tail[107] Habitat: Grassland and shrubland[108] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and pikas[108]	LC  Unknown [108]
Stoat	M. erminea Linnaeus, 1758 37 subspecies M. e. aestiva (Middle Russian stoat) M. e. alascensis (Junean stoat) M. e. anguinae (Vancouver Island stoat) M. e. arctica (Tundra stoat) M. e. augustidens M. e. bangsi (Western Great Lakes stoat) M. e. celenda M. e. cigognanii (Bonaparte's stoat) M. e. erminea (Northern stoat) M. e. fallenda M. e. ferghanae (Fergana stoat) M. e. gulosa M. e. haidarum (Queen Charlotte Islands stoat) M. e. hibernica (Irish stoat) M. e. initis M. e. invicta M. e. kadiacensis (Kodiak stoat) M. e. kaneii (East Siberian stoat) M. e. karaginensis (Karaginsky stoat) M. e. lymani (Altai stoat) M. e. martinoi M. e. minima (Swiss stoat) M. e. mongolica (Gobi stoat) M. e. muricus (Southwestern stoat) M. e. nippon (Japanese stoat) M. e. ognevi M. e. olympica (Olympic stoat) M. e. polaris (Polar stoat) M. e. richardsonii (Richardson's stoat) M. e. ricinae (Hebrides stoat) M. e. salva M. e. seclusa M. e. semplei (Baffin Island stoat) M. e. stabilis (British stoat) M. e. streatori M. e. teberdina (Caucasian stoat) M. e. tobolica (Tobolsk stoat)	Europe, north Asia, northern North America, and Greenland (native range in green, introduced in red (New Zealand)); map includes range of American and haida ermines	Size: 17–33 cm (7–13 in) long, plus 4–12 cm (2–5 in) tail[109] Habitat: Shrubland, inland wetlands, grassland, rocky areas, and forest[110] Diet: Primarily eats small mammals, as well as fruit, earthworms, insects, eggs, and birds[110]	LC  Unknown [110]
Yellow-bellied weasel	M. kathiah Hodgson, 1835 Two subspecies M. k. caporiaccoi M. k. kathiah	Himalayan mountains and east-southeast Asia	Size: 25–27 cm (10–11 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail[111] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[112] Diet: Primarily eats rodents, as well as birds and small mammals[111][112]	LC  Unknown [112]

Genus Neogale – Gray, 1865 – five species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Amazon weasel	N. africana (Desmarest, 1818) Two subspecies N. a. africana N. a. stolzmanni	Amazon basin	Size: 41–52 cm (16–20 in) long, plus 16–21 cm (6–8 in) tail[113] Habitat: Inland wetlands and forest[114] Diet: Unknown[115][114]	LC  Unknown [114]
American mink	N. vison (Schreber, 1777) Fifteen subspecies N. v. aestuarina (California lowland mink) N. v. aniakensis N. v. energumenos (Western mink) N. v. evagor N. v. evergladensis (Everglades mink) N. v. ingens (Alaskan mink) N. v. lacustris (Hudson Bay mink) N. v. letifera (Mississippi Valley mink) N. v. lowii N. v. lutensis (Florida mink) N. v. melampeplus (Kenai mink) N. v. mink (Common mink) N. v. nesolestes (Island mink) N. v. vison (Eastern mink) N. v. vulgivaga (Southern mink)	Canada and United States; introduced to large areas in South America, Europe, and Asia (native range in red (North America), introduced in pink)	Size: 31–45 cm (12–18 in) long, plus 14–25 cm (6–10 in) tail[116] Habitat: Inland wetlands, forest, and shrubland[117] Diet: Primarily eats fish, amphibians, crustaceans, muskrats, and small mammals[117]	LC  Unknown [117]
Colombian weasel	N. felipei (Izor and Torre, 1978)	Small area of northwest South America	Size: 32–39 cm (13–15 in) long, plus 10–14 cm (4–6 in) tail[118] Habitat: Inland wetlands and forest[119] Diet: Unknown, but believed to eat fish, small mammals, and insects[120][119]	VU  1,300 [119]
Long-tailed weasel	N. frenata (Lichtenstein, 1831) 42 subspecies N. f. affinis N. f. agilis N. f. alleni (Black Hills long-tailed weasel) N. f. altifrontalis N. f. arizonensis (Arizona long-tailed weasel) N. f. arthuri N. f. aureoventris N. f. boliviensis (Bolivian long-tailed weasel) N. f. costaricensis (Costa Rican long-tailed weasel) N. f. effera N. f. frenata (Bridled weasel) N. f. goldmani (Chiapas long-tailed weasel) N. f. gracilis N. f. helleri N. f. inyoensis (Inyo long-tailed weasel) N. f. latirostra N. f. leucoparia N. f. longicauda (Common long-tailed weasel) N. f. macrophonius N. f. munda N. f. neomexicanus (New Mexico long-tailed weasel) N. f. nevadensis (Nevada long-tailed weasel) N. f. nicaraguae (Nicaraguan long-tailed weasel) N. f. nigriauris N. f. notius N. f. noveboracensis (New York long-tailed weasel) N. f. occisor N. f. olivacea N. f. oregonensis (Oregon long-tailed weasel) N. f. oribasus N. f. panamensis (Panama long-tailed weasel) N. f. peninsulae (Florida long-tailed weasel) N. f. perda N. f. perotae N. f. primulina N. f. pulchra N. f. saturata (Cascade Mountains long-tailed weasel) N. f. spadix N. f. texensis (Texas long-tailed weasel) N. f. tropicalis (Tropical long-tailed weasel) N. f. washingtoni (Washington long-tailed weasel) N. f. xanthogenys (California long-tailed weasel)	North America, Central America, and northern South America	Size: 28–42 cm (11–17 in) long, plus 11–30 cm (4–12 in) tail[121] Habitat: Inland wetlands, grassland, and shrubland[122] Diet: Primarily eats rodents and other small mammals[122]	LC  Unknown [122]
Sea mink†	N. macrodon (Prentiss, 1903)	formerly northern New England coast in United States, Maritime Provinces in Canada	Size: Estimated to have been around 91 cm (36 in) long, plus 25 cm (10 in) tail[123] Habitat: Intertidal marine, neritic marine, and coastal marine[124] Diet: Primarily ate fish as well as molluscs[124]	EX  0 [124]

Subfamily Taxidiinae

Main article: Taxidiinae

Genus Taxidea – Horsfield, 1839 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
American badger	T. taxus (Schreber, 1777) Five subspecies T. t. berlandieri (Texas badger) T. t. jacksoni (Jackson's badger) T. t. jeffersonii (British Columbia badger) T. t. marylandica (Maryland badger) T. t. taxus	Mexico, United States and southern Canada	Size: 42–72 cm (17–28 in) long, plus 10–16 cm (4–6 in) tail[125] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and shrubland[126] Diet: Primarily eats fossorial rodents, as well as scorpions, insects, snakes, lizards, and birds[126]	LC  Unknown [126]

References