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Classification

There are two species of stink badger:

• The Indonesian stink badger, Mydaus javanensis.
• The Palawan stink badger, Mydaus marchei.

The Palawan stink badger has also been classified as Suillotaxus marchei. [More info]

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Names

The stink badgers are well named - both species produce foul-smelling emissions from their anal glands. The German for stink badger is Stinkdachs, and the Norwegian is Stinkgraevling. In Indonesia, the stink badger is known as the sigung, while in Malaysia it is called teledu. [More info]

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Appearance and general characteristics

The stink badgers are rather small, short and stocky animals, with pointed snouts, short but muscular legs (with long claws on the front feet) and short tails. The Palawan stink badger, Mydaus marchei, is the smaller of the two species, with head-and-body lengths ranging from 320 to 460mm (plus a tail of 10 - 40mm), and weighing around 2.5kg. The Indonesian stink badger, Mydaus javanensis, measures 370mm to 510mm from nose to tail base, with a tail measuring from 50mm to 70mm; its weight varies from 1.4 to 3.6kg.

Both species are predominantly dark brown in colour (although paler specimens of the Palawan stink badger may occur). The Indonesian stink badger has a patch of white or yellowish hair on the top of its head, and a stripe of the same colour extending from this along the spine to the tail. The Palawan stink badger meanwhile has a yellowish cap, and the stripe that extends from this fades out at the shoulders.

References: b001, b002, b003-01, b004.

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Distribution

The distribution of the stink badgers is as follows:

• Indonesian stink badger: Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the North Natuna Islands.
• Palawan stink badger: Found only on the Philippene islands of Palawan and Busuanga.

[More info]

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Social organisation

It does not appear that any work has been carried out regarding the social organisation, homes ranges or territories of these species.

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Activity patterns

The Indonesian stink badger, Mydaus javanensis, is said to be nocturnal. The Palawan stink badger Mydaus marchei is however active by day and night.

References: b001, b003-01, b004.

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Dens

The Indonesian species (Mydaus javanensis) lies up in burrows which it digs for itself; these are simple, single tunnels ending in a chamber, into which bedding is taken. The tunnels are apparently no more than 60cm / 2 feet in depth. It will also occupy porcupine burrows, sometimes sharing the burrows with the prickly owners. The stink badger's den is said to be characterised by an unpleasant smell, although apparently there can be confusion as there is a species of fern, Didymochlaena truncatula, locally known as paku sigung (the stink badger fern), which produces a very similar odour!

Reference: b003-01, w033.

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Food and feeding behaviour

The stink badgers are thought to feed mainly on invertebrates, especially earthworms and insects, and also plant material. In captivity, the Indonesian stink badger (Mydaus javanensis) has eaten worms, insects and chicken entrails. As with the other badgers, they find much of their food by digging with the long claws on their front feet.

References: b001, b002, b003-01, b004.

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Life cycle

Sadly, there appears to be no information available regarding the reproductive habits or longevity of either species of stink badger.

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Predators and defences against them

If attacked, the stink badgers may try to defend themselves by living up to their names. Both can squirt noxious secretions from their anal glands. [More info]

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Picture credits

The Palawan stink badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Peter Widmann, and used with his permission. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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