| Introduction | Mustelids | Viverrids | Herpestids | 
| Conservation Significance | References |

Conservation significance of Mustelids, viverrids and herpestids

The mustelids, viverrids and herpestids consist of around 136 species distributed worldwide, of which 32 species occur in India. Though in terms of diversity they outnumber other carnivores, they are not as intricately involved in human culture as are felids and canids. Nevertheless, over the centuries human beings have been exploiting them either for fur, meat or for the secretion that they produce from their scent glands. Around 30% of the confiscated wildlife skins in India are of otters. Mongoose hair/bristles are used for making paint brushes. Besides several tribes eat meat of mustelids, viverrids and herpestids. They are also kept as pets to eradicate snakes, scorpions and other domestic pests, or merely for amusement. In view of the general ferocious nature of the members of this group, magical and aphrodisiac powers have been attributed to the internal organs, fat and other body parts of a wide variety of species. These are extensively used as medicine or as amulets.

Because of their small size, together with small cats and red panda this group is termed as small carnivores. Unlike large carnivores, which depend on a relatively narrow prey base, the small carnivores have a wide dietary range such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and a variety of invertebrates particularly insects and also fruits. Thus, the presence of large assemblages of small carnivores is an indicator of rich biological diversity. Nevertheless, mustelids, viverrids and herpestids, particularly the tropical forms are among the least known carnivores. An appreciable number of species are only known from a few museum skulls or skins (Schreiber et al. 1989). This is true for India too. Even basic ecological information on common species, such as mongoose and small Indian civets is lacking.

The small carnivores use large variety of habitats ranging from rain forests to arid deserts, high altitude ecosystems, wetlands, and coastal and marine ecosystems for their sustained reproduction. Conservation of natural habitats at a landscape level should therefore be the highest priority for ensuring survival of the small carnivores and also other wildlife. India has a large network of Protected Areas representing different biogeographic zones and habitat types, which ensure survival of a wide range of wildlife. With increasing human population and associated development activities in the last century, it is not known what is happening to small carnivore populations. Effort should be made to undertake more studies to determine the status of small carnivores in India.

| Introduction | Mustelids | Viverrids | Herpestids | 
| Conservation Significance | References |