Editing Mustelidae (section)

== Variety ==
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[[File:Sthenictis1.JPG|thumb|left|''Sthenictis'' sp. ([[American Museum of Natural History]])]]
Mustelids vary greatly in size and behaviour. The smaller variants of the [[least weasel]] can be under {{convert|20|cm|0|abbr=on}} in length, while the [[giant otter]] of [[Amazon rainforest|Amazonian]] South America can measure up to {{convert|1.7|m|abbr=on}} and [[sea otter]]s can exceed {{convert|45|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight.  [[Wolverine]]s can crush bones as thick as the femur of a [[moose]] to get at the [[Bone marrow|marrow]], and have been seen attempting to drive [[bear]]s away from their kills. The sea otter uses rocks to break open shellfish to eat. [[Marten]]s are largely [[arboreal]], while  [[European badger]]s dig extensive tunnel networks, called [[sett]]s. Only one mustelid has been domesticated; the [[ferret]]. [[Tayra]] are also kept as pets (although they require a [[Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976|Dangerous Wild Animals]] licence in the UK), or as working animals for hunting or vermin control. Others have been important in the [[fur trade]]—the [[mink]] is often [[Fur farming|raised for its fur]].

Being one of the most species-rich families in the order Carnivora, the family Mustelidae also is one of the oldest. Mustelid-like forms first appeared about 40&nbsp;million years ago (Mya), roughly coinciding with the appearance of [[rodent]]s. The common ancestor of modern mustelids appeared about 18&nbsp;Mya.<ref name="Law-2018" />