Banded linsang
| Banded linsang[1] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Prionodontidae |
| Genus: | Prionodon |
| Species: | P. linsang |
| Binomial name | |
| Prionodon linsang (Hardwicke, 1821) |
|
 |
|
| Banded linsang range | |
The banded linsang (Prionodon linsang) is a linsang found in South Asia. It is considered widespread throughout its range, but due to its small size and semi-arboreal nature, it has been infrequently recorded, and thus its population status is difficult to assess. It listed as Least Concern by IUCN.[2]
Characteristics
The banded linsang has a long, slender body, short limbs, an elongated neck and head, and a long tail. The ground colour is dull, yellowish white. About four to six broad, irregular transverse brownish-black bands extend across the back, the last being narrow and broken, and tending to fuse with the first caudal ring. Two dark stripes extend from the forehead along the upper neck to the shoulders. Lesser striping and spots appear on the lower neck, flanks, and legs. The cylindrical tail has seven to nine complete, dark rings, separated by narrow white rings; the top of the tail is either light or dark coloured. Underparts and feet are uniformly pale coloured. The feet have five digits. The area across the pads is covered with hair. The claws are retractile. Measurements suggest that males are slightly larger than females. Females range in head-to-body-size from 37.9 to 45 cm (14.9 to 18 in) with a 33 to 36.5 cm (13 to 14.4 in) long tail, and weigh 608 to 798 g (1.34 to 1.76 lb). Males measure 41 to 43.2 cm (16 to 17.0 in) in head to body with a 34 to 37.5 cm (13 to 14.8 in) long tail, and weigh 590 to 653 g (1.3 to 1.44 lb).[3]
Distribution and habitat
The distribution of banded linsang is limited to southern Myanmar, southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, Bangka and Belitung. Its habitats include both primary and secondary forest plus fringe and occasionally human inhabited areas.[3]
Ecology and behaviour
Banded linsangs are excellent climbers and can descend head first. They are considered to be largely arboreal but food remains, and the fact that they are often trapped on the ground indicate that they hunt both in the canopy and on the ground, even in disturbed forests and forest fringe habitats. They are nocturnal but may be active in day time.[3]
Reproduction
Banded linsangs nest in hollows of dead trees on the forest floor, under the roots of large trees, or in holes in living trees above ground level. Females were found to be lactating in April and October.[4] At Wassenaar Zoo two young were born in December 1968 that weighed 40 g (0.088 lb) at birth and doubled their weight by day 18. Their eyes only opened at 18 and 21 days. At the age of four months, they equaled their parents' size.[5]
References
- ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b Duckworth, J. W. and Azlan, M. J. (2008). "Prionodon linsang". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- ^ a b c Van Rompaey, H. (1993). The Banded Linsang, Prionodon linsang. Small Carnivore Conservation 9: 10–13.
- ^ Lim, B. L. (1973). The Banded linsang and the Banded musang of West Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal 26(3/4):105–111.
- ^ Louwman, J. W. (1970). Breeding the Banded palm civet and the Banded linsang at Wassenaar Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook 10: 81–82.
External links
- Banded linsang media at ARKive
Read in another language
This page is available in 19 languages
