80 CARNIVORES. 
It is probably the latter which, according to Brehm, ranges across the Isthmus of 
Suez into Asia Minor, and the neighbourhood of Constantinople. 
These animals frequent rocky districts, hiding either in the clefts 
of rocks, or among bushes and trees, and are purely nocturnal. They 
feed on mice and other small mammals, birds and their eggs, and lizards and frogs ; 
and in inhabited districts they destroy poultry. In their general habits they are 
unlike the martens and polecats, being unable to climb, and only taking to the 
water under compunction, although, when the necessity arises, they can swim well. 
Their great protection against their foes is their intolerable odour, which is 
described as being almost, if not quite, as offensive as that of the skunks. In many 
houses of the Dutch boers of South America tame individuals of the Cape polecat 
may be found, which are kept for the purpose of catching rats and mice. 
Habits. 
THE FERRET-BADGERS. 
Genus Helictis. 
The ferret-badgers form a small group of four species from Eastern Asia, 
which in some respects serve to connect the preceding forms with the true badgers, 
having relatively longer bodies, shorter limbs, and longer tails than the latter. 
They are all of comparatively small size, and are distinguished from the other 
members of the badger-like group by having the under-surface of the body lighter 
coloured than the back. One species is further remarkable for the brilliant orange 
tint of the under-parts and portions of the head. 
All these animals have the same number of teeth as the martens; the upper 
molar and flesh-tooth being remarkable for their broad and squared crowns. The 
head is elongated, and terminates in a prolonged and naked muzzle, with obliquely 
truncated nostrils; and the ears are small but distinct. The claws are very 
narrow, and about twice as long in the fore as in the hind-feet ; the soles of the feet 
being naked. The tail, which is more or less bushy, may be either rather more 
or rather less than half the length of the head and body. 
Of the four species, the brown ferret-badger (Helictis orientalis), in which the 
length of the head and body is 16 inches, and that of the tail, with the hair, 9 
inches, inhabits the Nipal Himalaya and Java, and is characterised by its brown 
or yellowish brown colour, and its relatively long tail. The Burmese ferret-badger 
(H. personata), which differs in the greyish tint of the upper-parts, inhabits Lower 
Burma and Manipur, and probably some neighbouring districts. The two 
remaining species, viz. H. moschata and H. sabawrantiaca are from China. The 
latter is characterised by its relatively short tail, and the brilliant orange colour of 
the snout and the sides and the under-parts of the head and throat; the ears, a 
stripe down the neck, and the under-parts and feet being yellow. The upper-part 
of the head and face is chocolate-brown, forming a most marked contrast with the 
orange ; while the back and tail are olive-colour. 
The ferret-badgers are purely nocturnal, and differ from the 
other members of the present group in being able to climb with 
facility. The Indian species are almost omnivorous in their food, eating both 
Habits. 
