Banded Linsang

## Banded Linsnag

A banded linsang.

The banded linsang ***(Prionodon linsang)*** is a species of arboreal carnivoran, most closely related to felids. Banded linsangs are long slender bodied animals, that have extremely cat-like facial features and behavioural characteristics. Banded linsangs possess short legs, long tails -which are used as a counterbalance to the animal's own weight when climbing-, an elongated muzzle and rounded ears. The eyes of a banded linsang are extremely dark, being a maroon or coffee colour, whilst the pupils are black and circular. The black or dark brown blotches and dots across the linsang's body give the animal its name. The pattern will become out stretched at the back and tail, creating bands or rings. Typically a banded linsang will have five noticeable bands on its back and up to eight on its tail. The fur that surrounds their patterning is a golden yellow colour, but may vary in colour between individuals. The inside of the banded linsang's ears and the bare skin on its nose and toe pads are a light pink colour, once again similar to that of a cat's. Another shared feature between linsangs and cats, is their retractile claws, which are used in self defense or when scaling trees. banded linsangs are quite long animals for their size, growing to around 40cm (15.7in) and having a tail that measures to 34cm (13.3in). In comparison, linsangs are quite light, weighing only 700g (24.67oz).

## Diet

Banded linsangs are carnivorous most often hunting small vertebrates such as rodents, birds and small reptiles such as lizards. banded linsangs have also been known to eat animals such as snakes.

## Conservation Status

Banded linsangs are threatened on a local level due to rampant deforestation that occurs in Southeast Asia. This deforestation occurs extremely frequently in areas of Sumatra, Indonesia and Myanmar. Recently deforestation has slowed in areas such as Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Java, likely because areas suitable for logging do not exist in mass outside of protected areas, rendering much of the banded linsang's non-protected range uninhabitable for the species. Luckily, this deforestation is unlikely to be a major threat to banded linsangs, due to the species' adaptability in high-altitude environments. Other than deforestation, banded linsangs may also be threatened by the Thai fur trade however, it is unlikely that this is a major conservation issue for the species. As the banded linsang is not particularly threatened by any of the reasons listed, the IUCN still classes the species as least concern.

## Range and Population

Banded linsangs inhabit heavily forested and mountainous regions. The species can be found throughout southeast Asia, on both the mainland (Thailand, Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia) and the surrounding islands (Malaysian Borneo, Brunei, Java, Sumatra and Indonesia.) Banded linsangs will live almost exclusively in the trees throughout their range, being an arboreal species. The population of the banded linsang is unknown however, the species' population is likely in a declining state due to the issues mentioned above. It is commonly believed that the banded linsang's Javan range is restricted to the Western reaches of the island however, historic specimens specimens from the east and a lack of a recent Javan carnivore survey, may suggest otherwise. The species has also been recording living in attitudinal estimates ranging from 11-2,700m (36-8858.2ft).

## Behaviour

Banded linsangs are solitary nocturnal mammals that do not often interact with each other, aside from breeding and offspring rearing by the females. A mother linsang may give birth to 2-3 cubs, who will be born in a tree cavity/ hollow. The young -if female- stay with their mother until adulthood, whereas the males will leave after being weaned. Not much else is known about the banded linsang's breeding habits. Linsangs will move in a serpentine manner while hunting, avoiding detection by use of their great camouflage. Whilst not hunting, the banded linsang's highly specialised flexible body, allows it to move through trees at an alarming pace. Banded linsangs will typically communicate chemically, through the use of scent markings to display territorial boundaries among individuals.

### Relationship with Humans

Banded linsangs do not often interact with people, as they are skittish and nocturnal however, people will often actively seek out these animals in order to view them in national parks, as they create mass tourist appeal in the region.

## In Captivity

According to ZOOINSTITUTES, the banded linsang can be found only in Pata Zoo, Thailand, where it is kept in a nocturnal indoor exhibit. Banded linsangs and other linsang species cannot be kept as pets.

## Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41705/45219711
* Banded Linsang | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Prionodon\_linsang/
* Banded Linsang | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banded\_linsang
* Banded Linsang | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/banded-linsang-2975/