This is by far the largest family of Carnivora, containing nearly twice as many species (65, in 25 genera) as the next most speciose group (the Herpestidae). Mustelids are found are found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia.
These carnivores range from very small (the least weasel is the smallest member of the order Carnivora, weighing 35-70 gms) to medium (a large sea otter weighs around 35-40 kg). Their body shapes vary greatly; many, however, are elongate and have relatively short legs. The tail is usually long, the ears small and rounded, and the eyes may be small. All mustelids have well-developed anal glands; these are potent weapons of defense in some species such as skunks.
Mustelids are plantigrade or digitigrade, and their feet have five toes. The claws can be partially retracted in some species. Claws are developed in some, but generally they are short, laterally compressed, and curved. In otters, the hands and feet are webbed. Male mustelids have a well-developed baculum.
The skulls of mustelids are generally not long, and the rostrum is especially short. They lack an alisphenoid canal, but they have prominent paroccipital processes. A large, curved postglenoid process often locks the lower jaw to the upper, so that even in a cleaned skull the two cannot be separated. This restricts the motion of the lower jaw to simple opening and closing. The bite is powerful.
The teeth of mustelids are sometimes reduced in number; the dental formula is 3/3, 1/1, 2-4/2-4, 1/1-2 = 28-38 (one species, the sea otter, has 3/2 incisors). The upper molars are often constricted in the middle, giving them a dumbbell or hourglass shape. In some species, such as skunks and sea otters, the upper molars lack this characteristic profile; instead, they are expanded and flattened. The canines are long and sharp, the carnassials are usually well developed (but not secodont in a few species), and the incisors are unspecialized.
Most mustelids consume flesh. Some include a high proportion of insects or other invertebrates in their diets, others feed primarily on fruit or honey. The carnivores are often quick, agile, and extremely effective predators. Most use scent to track their prey. Their sense of hearing is also well developed.
Mustelids belong to the canoid group of the order Carnivora. They are known from the Early Oligocene.
Superfamily Canoidea Family Canidae Family Ursidae Family Otariidae Family Odobenidae Family Procyonidae Family Mustelidae Family Phocidae Superfamily Feloidea Family Viverridae Family Herpestidae Family Hyaenidae Family Felidae
 badgers |
 ferrets |
 marten |
 mink |
 otters |
 polecat |
 skunks |
 stoat |
 tayara |
 weasels |
 wolverines |
<<<<<<<>>>>>>> ARTIODACTYLA CARNIVORA CETACEA CHIROPTERA DASYUROMORPHIA DERMOPTERA DIDELPHIMORPHI DIPROTODONTIA HYRACOIDEA INSECTIVORA LAGOMORPHA MACROSCELIDEA MICROBIOTHERIA MONOTREMATA NOTORYCTEMORPHIA PAUCITUBERCULATA PERAMELEMORPHIA PERISSODACTYLA PHOLIDOTA PRIMATES PROBOSCIDEA RODENTIA SCANDENTIA SIRENIA TUBULIDENTATA XENARTHRA
Email: eradani7@aol.com
