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Mustelidae - Badgers, Otters, Martens, Weasels

There are 59 species in this family. They are found in all parts of the world, except Australia and Antarctica.

They are found in diverse habitats. Some species are found primarily on land, while others, like the otters, are found in freshwater and marine environments.

Most species have long, cylindrical bodies and short legs. Other species, like the wolverine and the badger, have broad, flat bodies and powerful front legs that they use for digging.

All of the species in this family have scent glands that produce strong-smelling musk.

Most of the species in this family are carnivores.

  • The African clawless otter is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    African Clawless Otter
    (Aonyx capensis)
    The African clawless otter is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Asian small-clawed otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Asian Small- Clawed Otter
    (Aonyx cinerea)
    The Asian small-clawed otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The greater hog badger is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Greater Hog Badger
    (Arctonyx collaris)
    The greater hog badger is found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The tayra is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tayra
    (Eira barbara)
    The tayra is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sea otter is found in coastal Pacific Ocean waters from south coastal Alaska and south to Baja California, Mexico. It is also found in Japan and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Sea Otter
    (Enhydra lutris)
    The sea otter is found in coastal Pacific Ocean waters from south coastal Alaska and south to Baja California, Mexico. It is also found in Japan and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The lesser grison is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lesser Grison
    (Galictis cuja)
    The lesser grison is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The greater grison is found in Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Greater Grison
    (Galictis vittata)
    The greater grison is found in Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The wolverine's current range extends from northern Europe and Siberia through northern North America into Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. It was once found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Wolverine
    (Gulo gulo)
    The wolverine's current range extends from northern Europe and Siberia through northern North America into Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. It was once found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The zorilla is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status:: Least Concern
    Zorilla
    (Ictonyx striatus)
    The zorilla is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status:: Least Concern
  • The North American river otter is found across ost of the U.S. and Canada. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status:: Least Concern
    North American River Otter
    (Lontra canadensis)
    The North American river otter is found across ost of the U.S. and Canada. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status:: Least Concern
  • The marine otter is found Along the Pacific Coast of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Marine Otter
    (Lontra felina)
    The marine otter is found Along the Pacific Coast of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The Eurasian otter is found across much of Europe and Asia. It is also found in northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Eurasian Otter
    (Lutra lutra)
    The Eurasian otter is found across much of Europe and Asia. It is also found in northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The southern river otter is found in Argentina and Chile. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Southern River Otter
    (Lontra provocax)
    The southern river otter is found in Argentina and Chile. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The spotted- necked otter is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Spotted- Necked Otter
    (Hydrictis maculicollis)
    The spotted- necked otter is found in Sub-Saharan Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The hairy- nosed otter is found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Hairy- Nosed Otter
    (Lutra sumatrana)
    The hairy- nosed otter is found in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The smooth-coated otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Smooth-Coated Otter
    (Lutrogale perspicillata)
    The smooth-coated otter is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The Patagonian weasel is found in Argentina and Chile. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Patagonian Weasel
    (Lyncodon patagonicus)
    The Patagonian weasel is found in Argentina and Chile. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The American marten, also known as the pine marten, is found in The American marten, also known as the pine marten, is found in Canada and Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    American Marten
    (Martes americana)
    The American marten, also known as the pine marten, is found in The American marten, also known as the pine marten, is found in Canada and Alaska, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-throated marten is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia,, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Marten
    (Martes flavigula)
    The yellow-throated marten is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia,, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The beech marten, also known as the stone marten, house marten, is found across much of Europe and Central Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Beech Marten
    (Martes foina)
    The beech marten, also known as the stone marten, house marten, is found across much of Europe and Central Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Nilgiri marten is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Nilgiri Marten
    (Martes gwatkinsii)
    The Nilgiri marten is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The pine marten is found across most of Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pine Marten
    (Martes martes)
    The pine marten is found across most of Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The fisher is found in Canada, northern California, eastern Oregon, in the Rocky Mountains, and in New York and New England, including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Fisher
    (Martes pennanti)
    The fisher is found in Canada, northern California, eastern Oregon, in the Rocky Mountains, and in New York and New England, including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sable is found in China, Japan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Mongolia, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sable
    (Martes zibellina)
    The sable is found in China, Japan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Mongolia, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Japanese Badger is Japan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Japanese Badger
    (Meles anakuma)
    The Japanese Badger is Japan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Asian badger is found i China, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Asian Badger
    (Meles leucurus)
    The Asian badger is found i China, Kazakhstan, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Eurasian badger is found across much of Europe into western Asia.
    Eurasian Badger
    (Meles meles)
    The Eurasian badger is found across much of Europe into western Asia.
  • The honey badger is found in Africa and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Honey Badger (with pup)
    (Mellivora capensis)
    The honey badger is found in Africa and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Altai weasel is found in Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Altai Weasel
    (Mustela altaica)
    The Altai weasel is found in Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The short-tailed weasel, also known as the stoat, or the ermine, is found in Canada, Greenland, the northern U.S. and northern Europe and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Short-Tailed Weasel
    (Mustela erminea)
    The short-tailed weasel, also known as the stoat, or the ermine, is found in Canada, Greenland, the northern U.S. and northern Europe and Asia. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The long-tailed weasel is found in most of the United States, except for parts of southeast California and Nevada and most of Arizona.It is also found in Canada, Mexico, and central and South America. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Long-Tailed Weasel
    (Mustela frenata)
    The long-tailed weasel is found in most of the United States, except for parts of southeast California and Nevada and most of Arizona.It is also found in Canada, Mexico, and central and South America. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Japanese weasel is found in Japan. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Japanese Weasel
    (Mustela itatsi)
    The Japanese weasel is found in Japan. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The yellow bellied weasel is found in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-bellied Weasel
    (Mustela kathiah)
    The yellow bellied weasel is found in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The European mink is found in France, Romania, Russia, Spain, and Ukraine. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
    European Mink
    (Mustela lutreola)
    The European mink is found in France, Romania, Russia, Spain, and Ukraine. IUCN Redlist Status: Critically Endangered
  • The black-footed ferret was once found throughout the eastern and southern Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. It is currently found in Montana, South Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Black-Footed Ferret
    (Mustela nigripes)
    The black-footed ferret was once found throughout the eastern and southern Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. It is currently found in Montana, South Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The least weasel is found across Canada and the northern U.S. It is also found across most of Europe and Asiaas well as northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Least Weasel
    (Mustela nivalis)
    The least weasel is found across Canada and the northern U.S. It is also found across most of Europe and Asiaas well as northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western polecat is found in most of Europe and extreme northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Polecat
    (Mustela putorius)
    The western polecat is found in most of Europe and extreme northern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Siberian weasel is found in Bhutan, China, India, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and Taiwan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Siberian Weasel
    (Mustela sibirica)
    The Siberian weasel is found in Bhutan, China, India, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and Taiwan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sea mink was once found eastern coast of North America around New Brunswick, Newfoundland in Canada and the Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. IUCN Redlist Status: Extinct
    Sea Mink
    (Neogale macrodon)
    The sea mink was once found eastern coast of North America around New Brunswick, Newfoundland in Canada and the Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. IUCN Redlist Status: Extinct
  • The mink can be found in most of the United States and Canada. The American mink is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    American Mink
    (Neogale vison)
    The mink can be found in most of the United States and Canada. The American mink is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The giant otter is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Giant Otter
    (Pteronura brasiliensis)
    The giant otter is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • In the United States, the American badger is found from the west coast to Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. It is also found in southern Canada in British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    American Badger
    (Taxidea taxus)
    In the United States, the American badger is found from the west coast to Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. It is also found in southern Canada in British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The marbled polecat is found in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Marbled Polecat
    (Vormela peregusna)
    The marbled polecat is found in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable

Did You Know?

The river otter is a member of this family.
The river otter is a member of this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

American Mink - Neovison visonLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Fisher - Pekania pennantiLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Long-Tailed Weasel - Mustela frenataLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaSouth America

Other Species Around the World

American Badger - Taxidea taxusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Black-Footed Ferret - Mustela nigripesEndangeredEndangered in USNorth/Central America
Wolverine - Gulo guloLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsia

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