The diet of the badgers also varies with different species. While their bodies are grey, with light-colored stripes running across them, their faces are black with remarkable white markings. The length of their tail can vary from species to species. There are 13 recognized species of badgers in the world, divided into 4 subfamilies.Īlmost all these species have a short but wide body with a slightly elongated head and rounded ears. Among mammals, voles, squirrels, and rabbits are their most common prey.īadgers are a group of short-legged mammals that belong to 2 different families: Mustelidae and Mephitidae. Pine martens are opportunistic feeders that can eat small mammals, birds, and their eggs, insects, and fruits, seeds, and berries. Displaying sexual dimorphism, the male pine martens are larger in size than their female counterparts. There is a distinct, cream-colored patch on their throat that contrasts to their otherwise dark body. The color of their fur coat ranges from light to dark brown. The fur coat of pine martens is coarse and short during the summers but grows longer and silkier in texture as winter arrives. These small mammals are members of the mustelid family and prefer to inhabit well-wooded areas. The Pine Martens are also called “European pine marten” and “European marten” because of their nativity to Northern Europe. They are known to fulfill several purposes for us, such as companionship, therapy, herding, protection, pulling load, and so on.īeing omnivores, dogs can eat many things that we do, and are also opportunistic hunters that prey on small mammals like cats, squirrels, and small-to-medium-sized birds. ![]() The large and diverse family of dogs is further divided into various breeds according to their size, shape, color, and geographical location. Small birds and rodents, including squirrels, are the primary targets of the cats and are often hunted by them.īelieved to be domesticated by our ancestors over 15,000 years ago, dogs are canids descended from an ancient wolf species that is now extinct. They also have a well-developed vision and sense of smell to help them hunt in the dark. Like the other felids, cats possess a flexible body, sharp teeth, retractable claws, and quick reflexes. Mothers may have several litters in a year, so most squirrel populations are robust.Being the smallest members of the feline family, cats are small, carnivore animals that have been domesticated by humans and are often kept as pets. Babies are blind and totally dependent on their mothers for two or three months. Whether they dwell high in a tree or in an underground burrow, female squirrels typically give birth to two to eight offspring. Flying squirrels eat nuts and fruit, but also catch insects and even baby birds. Flaps of skin connecting limbs to body provide a winglike surface. Flying squirrels glide, extending their arms and legs and coasting through the air from one tree to another. They live something like birds do, in nests or tree holes, and although they do not fly, they can really move across the sky. Tree sap is a delicacy to some species.įlying squirrels are a third, adaptable type of squirrel. Though they are terrific climbers, these squirrels do come to the ground in search of fare such as nuts, acorns, berries, and flowers. ![]() Tree squirrels are commonly seen everywhere from woodlands to city parks. Sometimes groups of ground squirrels work together to warn each other of approaching danger with a whistling call. These small mammals must always be wary of predators because they are tasty morsels with few natural defenses, save flight. They also catch and eat small animals, such as insects and caterpillars. Ground squirrels eat nuts, leaves, roots, seeds, and other plants. Other species are ground squirrels that live in burrow or tunnel systems, where some hibernate during the winter season. Tree squirrels are the types most commonly recognized, often seen gracefully scampering and leaping from branch to branch. Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing so they don't wear down from the constant gnawing. The Indian giant squirrel is three feet long. Others reach sizes shocking to those who are only familiar with common tree squirrels. ![]() The tiniest squirrel is the aptly named African pygmy squirrel-only five inches long from nose to tail. More than 200 squirrel species live all over the world, with the notable exception of Australia. Squirrels are familiar to almost everyone.
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