STINK BADGERS: CHARACTERISTICS, BEHAVIOR, SPECIES

STINK BADGERS

Sunda stink badger

Stink badgers, or false badgers, are the species of the genus Mydaus of the skunk family of carnivorans, the Mephitidae. They sort of resemble the regular badgers and are there are only two extant species: 1) the Palawan stink badger (Mydaus marchei), that lives on the island Palawan in the Philippines; and the Sunda stink badger (Mydaus javanensis) that lives Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. [Source: Wikipedia]

Stink badgers are named for their resemblance to other badgers and for the foul-smelling secretions that they expel from anal glands in self-defense, which are stronger in the Sunda species, which has coloring like a North American skunk. When threatened, Sunda stink badgers raise their tail and eject a pungent, foul, milky green secretion. The secretion can be ejected with some accuracy towards the threat. The secretion can nauseating and damage the eyes. Humans have fainted from the stink. Dogs have been asphyxiated and blinded when struck in the eyes. Stink badgers put a fierce fight when cornered and growl and bite when handled. The white stripes and other markings on their fur may be aposematic — warnings potential attackers to keep their distance. /=\

Stink badgers were traditionally thought to be related to Eurasian badgers in the subfamily Melinae of the weasel family of carnivorans (the Mustelidae), but recent DNA analysis indicates they share a more recent common ancestor with skunks, so experts have now placed them in the skunk family — the Mephitidae, which is the sister group of a clade composed of Mustelidae and Procyonidae, with the red panda also assigned to one of the sister clades. The two existing species are different enough from each other for the Palawan stink badger to be sometimes classified in its own genus, Suillotaxus.

Sunda Stink Badger

Sunda stink badgers (Mydaus javanensis) were classified by F. Cuvier in 1821 and is known by many different names: Javan stink badger, teledu, Malay stink badger, Malay badger, Indonesian stink badger, Sunda skunk and sigung. There are two subspecies of Sunda stink badgers. The Borneo Stink Badger (Mydaus lucifer), which has darker in fur and lives on Borneo; and 2) Sunda stink badger (Mydaus javanensis), which lives on Java, Sumatra and North Natuna Islands. [Source: Rachel Krauskopf, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Sunda stink badgers are found throught Sumatra and Borneo but have a limited, isolated distribution on Java and the North Natuna Islands. The favor hills and mountains at elevations above 250 meters (820 feet) at an average elevation of 2100 meters (6890 feet). They are seldom found on the plains. Most Sunda stink badgers roam around and forage at night and inhabit shallow burrows underground during the day; on Borneo some inhabit caves at high elevations.

range of the Sunda stink badger (greenish); Palawan stink badger reddish

Sunda stink badgers are omnivores (eat a variety of things, including plants and animals) but appear to be primarily carnivores (eat meat or animal parts), insectivores (eat insects), and vermivores (eat worms). Animal foods include earthworms, insect grubs, eggs, carrion, insects and non-insect arthropods. These animals use their long claws, strong forelimbs, and 'pig-like' snout to root through soils and feed.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies Sunda stink badgers as a species of “Least Concern”. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. Some islanders hunt and kill Sunda stink badgers and eat the meat after quickly removing the scent glands. Tonic made with skin shavings and water have been used traditional medicine for fever or rheumatism. In the past, islanders diluted the fluid from the scent glands of Sunda stink badgers to make perfumes for Javanese sultans. Sunda stink badgers are sometimes regarded as crop pests and probably suffer from habitat destruction. Natural predator may include Javan hawk-eagles, civets, leopard and clouded leopards.

Sunda Stink Badger Characteristics

Sunda stink badgers range in weight from 1.4 to 3.6 kilograms (3 to 7.9 pounds) and have a head and body length that ranges from 37 to 51 centimeters (14.6 to 20 inches). Their tail length ranges from 50 to 75 centimeters (19.7 to 29.5 inches). Rachel Krauskopf wrote in Animal Diversity Web: Sunda stink badgers are classified as true badgers. They were once classifed with the skunks because of their black and white coloration and strong scent glands, but the accessory cusp on the inner projection of the upper fourth premolar and the large front digging feet places Sunda stink badgers with Meles and Taxidea.[Source: Rachel Krauskopf, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Coloration of Sunda stink badgers varies from dark black to blackish brown. All have a white patch on the top of the head. A white mid-dorsal stripe extends from the patch on the head and is either interrupted or extends posteriorly down the spine to the tail. Fur is sparse on the belly. Hair on the neck stands nearly erect. Their eyes are small and the pinna (or ear flap) are vestigial. /=\

The body of Sunda stink badgers is small, squat, heavy, and nearly plantigrade. They have a long, pointed, mobile snout, short, muscular legs, long, strong recurved claws on the front feet, and a short tail. The musculature forms a web that extends to the base of the foreclaws. The toes are bound together as far as the base of the claws. All Sunda stink badgers have a well-developed anal scent gland. The cheek teeth have low, rounded cusps with circular formed crowns

Sunda Stink Badger Behavior and Reproduction

Sunda stink badgers are nocturnal (active at night), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary) and slow. They can only run away at a trot (about the speed of a human's walk) for about 100 meters They sense using touch and chemicals usually detected with smell. In general, Sunda stink badgers roam around and feed at night. During the daytime, they hole up in shallow burrows underground. [Source: Rachel Krauskopf, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Palawan stink badger

According to Animal Diversity Web: They use their strong claws to dig simple tunnels that end in a larger chamber where bedding is placed. Tunnels extend no more than two feet (60 centimeters) in depth and six feet in length. The bedding chamber has a diameter of several feet. For concealment, twigs and dry leaves are placed at the external entrance. The burrows are often dug near and protected by the bases and roots of trees. They will also occupy porcupine burrows — even sometimes sharing the burrows with the porcupines. The dens have an unpleasant smell, but sometimes this may be confused with paku sigung (the stink badger fern), a similarly smelling local plant. Most Sunda stink badgers live in pairs, /=\

Sunda stink badger females give birth to an average of two to three offspring. Females have six teats-four pectoral and two inguinal. Young are is brought up in underground burrows.

Palawan Stink Badgers

Palawan stink badgers (Mydaus marchei) are known as pantot or tuldo in the Batak language. They live only two Philippine Islands. Palawan and Busuanga, both located north and east of Borneo. Their preferred habitat appears to be cultivated areas and grassland thickets, which are mainly found on the western and eastern sides of Palawan.[Source: Valerie Eurs, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Little is known about the diet of Palawan stink badgers. They are primarily carnivores (eat meat or animal parts) but can also be regarded insectivores (eat insects) and vermivores (eat worms). Animal foods include insects, terrestrial non-insect arthropods and worms. They are believed to be especially fond of earthworms, which they reach and dig up with their long claws.. They may consume plant material as well. /=\

As their name suggests, Palawan stink badgers can squirt a yellow, pungent-smelling, oily fluid from their anal glands, much like skunks but its relatively mild compared to that of the Sunda stink badger. The use of these secretions appears to be a secondary line of defense. Their first reaction when threatened is to "play dead", even allow themselves to be picked up and moved. The island of Palawan is well-known for its wide variety of flora and fauna. Ecotourists may be attracted by endemic species such as Palawan stink badgers

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies Palawan stink badgers as a species of “Least Concern”. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. Palawan stink badgers were described as "surprisingly common" in the 1970s, but that is no longer the case. Their numbers have probably declined as a result of habitat loss. There have been reports of occasionally hunting them for food. Many are killed on roads by vehicles.

Palawan Stink Badger Characteristics, Reproduction and Behavior

Palawan stink badgers are small and stocky and have a short tail and pointed snout. Their fur is mostly dark brown, with a light yellow patch on the top of the head that fades down to the shoulders in a stripe. On average Palawan stink badgers weigh 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) and have a head and body length that ranges from 32 to 46 centimeters (12.6 to 18.1 inches). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is not present: Both sexes are roughly equal in size and look similar. [Source: Valerie Eurs, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Palawan stink badgers are fossorial (engaged in a burrowing life-style or behavior, and good at digging or burrowing), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary) and solitary. They have many of the same fossorial adaptations as other badgers short, muscular limbs and forepaws equipped with long claws. They sense using touch and chemicals usually detected with smell and communicate with the same chemicals and leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. Like most badgers, Palawan stink badgers likely have a highly developed sense of smell, pppor eyesight and good hearing . The scent marks they leave probably contains various kinds of information for members of their own species and help define territories. /=\

Unlike many badgers, Palawan stink badgers are primarily diurnal (active in the day). It is not clear how territorial they are but they do mark their pathes with scent as they move around. Their large "projectile" scent glands are an important form of defense, as they do not move around very fast.

No research on the reproductive behavior has been carried out on either Palawan stink badgers or Sunda stink badgers. Other badgers breed annually and produce two to six young offspring per litter. Based on the behavior of other badger species, it is believed that that parental care is carried out by females, who give birth and raise their young in dens or burrows. Nursing may last up to four months.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.

Last updated January 2025