Wild Thai Ferret?

[JusMe]

Sitting on my deck a short time ago just reading the newspaper, and a small "beast" came across the grass. I'm just across the fence from a decent wooded area.

I know it wasn't a squirrel - seen those before.

About 8~10 inches in body length, dark brown with a pointed nose, slightly furry; had a slightly bushy tail (not full squirrel-like, but clearly not just skin, i.e. rat-like) about 8 inches long.

No chance of getting the camera, but this is the first time I've seen this critter. Not worried, just curious to know if Thailand has wild ferrets, as that's what it seemed to be.

Or any idea what else it might have been?

[canuckamuck]

I have also seen a type of weasel or martin here. In fact I saw a dead one up close so I know they exist. My wife says they can be really mean, and that would be expected from the weasel family.

Not to be confused with political weasels which are found in every ecosystem.

[chrisinth]

Likely it is a mongoose! I believe there are two types from Thailand, the crab eating mongoose (in the clip) and the "snake killer"

[Goshawk]

its a Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) also known as Small Asian mongoose. Found throughout the Kingdom, i've encountered them many times.

[macksview]

its a Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) also known as Small Asian mongoose. Found throughout the Kingdom, i've encountered them many times.

a compliement, you are a whip hand mr goshawk.

does thailand have a small wild dog, and if so how common, father in law rattles on about seeing them up along in the nan valley amongst other places.

[IanForbes]

its a Javan mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) also known as Small Asian mongoose. Found throughout the Kingdom, i've encountered them many times.

Thanks for that, Goshawk and Chrisinth. I was wondering about that myself. I only caught a quick glimpse of one. I also saw what appeared to be a squirrel... but without the bushy tail. It was running around in the trees and along a power line in a wooded area. It looked somewhat like a rat but with slightly thicker fur and tail.

[Goshawk]

does thailand have a small wild dog, and if so how common, father in law rattles on about seeing them up along in the nan valley amongst other places.

certainly does.. the Dhole (Cuon Alpinus). Its rare.

I've never seen one despite trying many times from the watchtower hide at Khao Yai, where they are regularly reported coming down to drink from the pond early mornings & evenings.

[macksview]

does thailand have a small wild dog, and if so how common, father in law rattles on about seeing them up along in the nan valley amongst other places.

certainly does.. the Dhole (Cuon Alpinus). Its rare.

I've never seen one despite trying many times from the watchtower hide at Khao Yai, where they are regularly reported coming down to drink from the pond early mornings & evenings.

thank you

[canuckamuck]

Likely it is a mongoose! I believe there are two types from Thailand, the crab eating mongoose (in the clip) and the "snake killer"

The animal in the video doesn't look anything like the weasel type creature I have seen, I can safely say I have never seen the Javan mongoose, but I have seen a mongoose before in a cage and I would have recognized one.

According to Wiki northern and southern Thailand is included in the Mustela (weasel) family range.

I did not have time to determine which one I have seen.

I am quite familiar with weasels however as when I was young (and ignorant) I had a trap line and came across many weasel and mink.

[JusMe]

Thanks for the info. After looking at some of the resources, which I was able to do after being pointed by the knowledgeable people here, it's definitely a Javan Mongoose.

Fantastic! Love being able to see so much wildlife just from my little deck here in Ban Phe.