FERRET-SEARCH@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
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Date: | Sun, 25 May 2003 12:23:22 -0400 |
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RE the confusion in the press, identifying the SARS-affected civets as
mustelids:
It's not unusual for folks to get the relationships between ferrets and
other animals confused. Here's the taxonomic classification (a sort of
a family tree of animal relationships). Note that even the scientists
disagree on some of the classifications and names, but in general the
relationships are pretty well-accepted.
Order Carnivora
Superfamily Canoidea: dog-like carnivores
(sometimes called Arctoidea: bear-like carnivores)
Canidae: dogs
Ursidae: bears
Phocidae: seals
Odobenidae: walruses
Otariidae: sea lions
Procyonidae: raccoons, coati, pandas
Mustelidae: otters, weasels and FERRETS
subfamily Lutrinae: otters
Melinae: European and Asian badgers
Mellivorinae: ratel or honey badger
Mephitinae: skunks
Mustelinae: weasels, stoats, polecats, mink. pine martin,
fisher, wolverines -- and FERRETS!
Taxidiinae: American badger (some put this under Melinae)
Superfamily Feloidea or Aeluroidea: cat-like carnivores
Viverridae: CIVETS and genets
Herpestidae: mongooses
Felidae: cats
Hyaenidae: hyenas
Part of the confusion may be that the word "viverridae" apparently comes
from a latin word that probably referred to weasels (I don't have the
reference for this in front of me, but I think it was Pliny). Of course,
this was before the current system of taxonomic classification, so the
categories had not yet been defined.
I sometimes tell people that ferrets are in the same family as otters,
since most people view otters as playful, positive creatures. Skunks
just don't have the same positive press.
Hope this helps.
Claire
[Posted in FML issue 4159]
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