Banded linsang
Species of carnivore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The banded linsang (Prionodon linsang) is a linsang, a tree-dwelling carnivorous mammal native to the Sundaic region of Southeast Asia.[1]
| Banded linsang | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Prionodontidae |
| Genus: | Prionodon |
| Species: | P. linsang[2] |
| Binomial name | |
| Prionodon linsang[2] (Hardwicke, 1821) | |
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| Banded linsang range | |
Description
The banded linsang grows to 35–41.1 cm (13.8–16.2 in), with a long tail that can reach 36.2 cm (14.3 in).[3] It is a pale yellow with five dark bands. The average weight is around 700 g (25 oz). It has broad stripes on its neck and its tail consists of several dark bands with a dark tip. The tail has seven or eight dark bands and ends in a dark tip. The banded linsang has very sharp retractable claws.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The banded linsang occurs in Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Bangka and Belitung Islands.[1] Since 2006, it has been recorded by camera traps on the Sunda Islands of Borneo and Sumatra,[5][6][7] and in southern Myanmar.[8] It inhabits evergreen forests, deciduous forests, secondary forest, and was also recorded close to oil palm plantations.[1]
Ecology and behaviour
The banded linsang is nocturnal[1] and usually solitary.[9] It is carnivorous, with its diet consisting of small vertebrates, such as birds, rats, and snakes.[3]
Very little is known about the banded linsang's reproduction. It is thought that litters of 2–3 are born semiannually in a nest in burrows or hollow trees.[10]
Taxonomy
Until recently, the two species of Asiatic linsangs were considered to be members of the family Viverridae and to be related to the morphologically similar genets. However, recent genetic taxonomy investigations have strongly suggested that the Asiatic linsangs are a sister-group of the cat family, Felidae. It has been proposed that the Asiatic linsangs be placed in the monogeneric family Prionodontidae.[11]