(Prionodontidae)

Linsangs

Лінзангові

Linsangs (Prionodontidae) is a family comprising two species native to Southeast Asia: the banded linsang (Prionodon linsang) and the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor).

Spotted linsangs are primarily arboreal predators. Their sharp claws and long, thin bodies help them to run along branches. Although primarily arboreal, these animals also spend time hunting on the ground. They are nocturnal and spend the day sleeping in nests in tree hollows or under tree roots. The nests are lined with dry leaves and twigs. They are not thought to be social. Because of their shy and reclusive nature, little is known of them in the wild. Spotted linsangs feed mainly on rodents, but also eat birds, insects, small reptiles, frogs, eggs, and carrion. In addition to meat they are known to eat fruit.

Spotted linsangs have one breeding season in February and a second in August. Individual females can produce one or two litters per year. Although no details are available on the reproductive cycle of Prionodon pardicolor, the estrus cycle for banded linsangs (Prionodon linsang), a related species, is 11 days. Litters of two are common. Newborn weight for Prionodon linsang is 40 g. The young are hidden in tree or root hollows lined with dried vegetation, where they may stay until weaning. It is unknown if their mother teaches the young to hunt.

Banded linsangs live in tropical rainforests. They spend a large portion of their time in the trees. It is very pale yellow with five large transverse dark bands on their backs. They have broad stripes on their necks with small elongate spots and stripes on their flanks. The tail has seven or eight dark bands and ends in a dark tip. Banded linsangs have retractile claws which are very sharp, and have specialized razor-sharp teeth for shearing their food. The soles of their feet have hair between the pads and their toes. It is secretive and elusive creatures. They are solitary. The female offspring stays with the mother until maturity, but the male offspring leave soon after weaning. Linsangs are semiarboreal and well-adapted for such a lifestyle. Their bodies are long and slender with short legs, suited for running through the trees and jumping between branches. Their long tails aid in balancing. When hunting, their slender bodies move snake-like along the path of the prey, very well camouflaged by their coats. Banded linsangs are omnivorous. A main part of their diet consists of small vertebrates such as squirrels, rats, birds and lizards.

(Prionodon linsang)

Banded Linsang

Лінзанг смугастий

Head-body length: 35–41.1 cm.

Tail length: 33–37 cm.

Weight: 590–800 g.

It is found in southern Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, and the Sunda Islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Bangka and Belitung Islands. It lives in tropical rainforests.

(Prionodon pardicolor)

Spotted Linsang

Лінзанг плямистий

Head-body length: 31–45 cm.

Tail length: 30–40 cm.

Weight: 550–1220 g.

It is found eastern Nepal, Sikkim, Assam and Bengal in India, Bhutan, north-eastern Myanmar, northern Thailand, Laos, northern Vietnam, and western Sichuan, Yunnan Guizhou and south-western Guangxi in southern China. It primarily inhabits evergreen forests and shrubland.