Weasels, Otters and Badgers

The Mustelidae are a varied group of meat-eating mammals known for their long bodies, short legs, and small rounded ears. Most have scent glands which they use to mark their territory and communicate with others. The family shows a wide range of sizes, from the tiny weasel to the sturdy badger, and includes animals that live in water, like otters, as well as those that live on land or dig underground. Mustelids usually have five toes on each foot with claws that cannot be pulled back. They are found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, living in many different environments such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal areas. In the UK, native members of this group include stoats, weasels, pine martens, otters, and badgers. All of these animals eat meat, but their diets vary depending on the species. Some eat small rodents and birds, others catch fish or invertebrates, and some also eat plant material. Most mustelids live alone and are mainly active at night or during dawn and dusk.