Mustelids | Mustelidae
Mustelids are a family of carnivorous mammals with long bodies and short legs. Members of the Mustelids family usually live in burrows or crevices and are excellent hunters, especially some weasels which can take down prey larger than themselves. While members of the mustelids family are terrestrial, aquatic, or marine, some have adapted to be skilled at climbing trees. Mustelids can be found on every continent except for Antarctica and Australia and are not found on oceanic islands. Mustelids can be either solitary or live in groups, but all Mustelids have powerful anal scent glands for defense and marking their territory.
Mustelids is the mammal family that encompasses 55 species of ferrets, polecats, badgers, martens, otters, wolverines, as well as weasels. Mustelids are carnivores that live in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats around the world, except for Australia, Antarctica, and oceanic islands.
Most mustelids consume a carnivorous diet, but some species sometimes eat plants as well. Many mustelids feed when the opportunity arises while some prey small mammals. For example, weasels prey rodents, while otters capture fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. Some species of mustelids prey on animals that are larger than them.
Some mustelids can make good pets if they have the right owner. For example, ferrets as a pet are easy to exercise, can be litter trained, easy to feed, sociable, and affectionate. While weasels as pets are not suitable for everyone as they can be a risk to other pets and can bite in self-defense if not treated properly.
