Tiny terrorists. 小好战分子.
Mustelids are ankle-height tigers of the undergrowth. 鼬科动物是灌木丛中矮矮矮胖的老虎。.
They are among the fiercest and oldest predators on earth. 它们是地球上最凶猛和最古老的掠食者之一.
The biggest is man-sized, 最大的身材如一名男子,
but most are much smaller. 但大多数身材都要小得多.
Some are elusive loners, 有些人是难以捉摸的孤独者,
while others stand together and fight. 其他人站在一起战斗.
The name mustelid sounds mysterious, 鼬科动物这个名字听起来很神秘,
but this family of hunters 但是这个猎人家族
might be more familiar than you think. 可能比你想象的更熟悉.
In the bleak Northern forests a fearsome predator lurks. 在荒凉的北方森林里,潜伏着一只可怕的捕食者.
Everyone has heard of it, 大家都听说过,
but few people will ever get to see it. 但很少有人能看到它.
Its aggressive reputation precedes it. 它的侵略性声誉先于它.
The wolverine. 狼獾.
Its body isn't as big as its rep. 它的身体没有它的代表大.
About the size of a Collie, 一只牧羊犬那么大,
but don't let it size for you. 但别让它适合你.
It's disproportionate to its ferocity and strength. 它与它的凶猛和力量不成比例.
This male has picked up a faint scent. 这只雄性已经闻到了一股淡淡的气味.
Wolverines are good hunters,but also opportunists 狼獾是好猎手,也是机会主义者
always on the lookout for an easy meal. 总是注意吃一顿简单的饭.
And early spring is the best time to search. 早春是寻找的最佳时机.
The carcass of a dead moose 麋鹿的尸体
has been exposed by the melting snow. 已经被融化的雪暴露了.
But the wolverine isn't the first to find it. 但是狼獾并不是第一个发现它的.
Wolves share this habitat. 狼共享这个栖息地.
They,too,need meat. 他们也需要肉.
But the wolverine's macho image isn't just physical. 但是狼獾的男子气概不仅仅是身体上的.
It's having the confidence to go with it. 它有信心和它一起走.
The wolf manages to grab a piece of the carcass 狼设法抓住了一块尸体
before the cocky male marches in on the scene. 在狂妄自大的男人进入现场之前.
Wolves are used to most animals running from them. 狼习惯于大多数动物从他们身边逃跑.
He's intimidated by the wolverine's bold approach. 他被狼獾的大胆举动吓坏了.
One glare of that icy stare and the wolf quits. 他冷冰冰地瞪了一眼,狼就不干了.
All he can do is watch and hope there might be leftovers. 他所能做的就是看着,希望能有剩菜.
The little bear-like mustelid has immense jaws 像熊一样的獾有着巨大的下巴
that can smash through the bones of a moose. 能把驼鹿的骨头砸碎.
Jaws that could inflict serious wounds on the wolves. 可能对狼造成严重伤害的下颚.
In this challenging landscape, 在这充满挑战的环境中,
any injury could be a death sentence. 任何伤害都可能被判死刑.
The wolverine is one of the largest mustelids. 狼獾是最大的鼬类之一.
But he's united with even his tiniest cousins 但他甚至连他最小的表亲都团结在一起
by larger-than-life confidence. 以超越生命的自信.
Wolverines might be bold but many mustelids are elusive. 狼獾可能很大胆,但许多獾是难以捉摸的.
Living in true wilderness, 生活在真正的荒野中,
the wolverine is a symbol of the wild. 狼獾是野性的象征.
But even if most go unseen, 但即使大多数人看不见,
there are mustelids living right under our noses. 我们眼皮底下就住着鼬科动物.
Like this polecat living a life of luxury 像这样的貂过着奢侈的生活
in the heart of Hamburg. 在汉堡市中心.
Mustelids evolved about 40 million years ago, 鼬科动物大约在4000万年前进化而来,
the same time as another familiar group of animals: rodents. 和另一个熟悉的动物群一样：啮齿动物.
As rats and mice spread around the world, 随着老鼠在世界范围内的传播,
the mustelids developed hunting skills to exploit them. 鼬科动物发展了狩猎技能来利用它们.
And today the abundance of rodents brings mustelids, 今天大量的啮齿动物引来了鼬科动物,
like the polecat,into close proximity with humans. 像貂一样，与人近在咫尺。.
A few found new specializations 一些人发现了新的专长
and became the most loved members of the family. 成为了家里最爱的人.
Few animals are as sleek and hydrodynamic as otters. 很少有动物能像水獭一样光滑和有水动力.
Their lives seem so fun-filled 他们的生活似乎充满了乐趣
that a group of otters is known as a romp. 一群水獭被称为嬉戏.
There are 13 species of otters 水獭有13种
that have colonized the world. 他们已经成为世界的殖民地.
Only Australia and Antarctica are missing these mustelids. 只有澳大利亚和南极洲没有这些鼬科动物.
They have webbed feet and flattened tails for swimming 它们有蹼足和扁平的尾巴游泳
making them as at home under water as above it, 让它们像在水下和水上一样自在,
enabling them to dash after fish. 使它们能够追赶鱼.
And dash they do. 他们会冲刺.
Otters have high energy demands 水獭需要很高的能量
and must consume around 20% of their body weight every day. 而且每天必须消耗20%的体重.
They take their catch ashore 他们把捕获的东西带上岸
and then spread out on a couch, 然后躺在沙发上,
a resting place in the reeds. 芦苇丛中休息的地方.
Otters are well-known, 水獭很有名,
but many of the 60 species of mustelids 但是60种的鼬
are exotic and mysterious. 充满异国情调和神秘感.
Like the tayra of the Central American rain forest, 就像中美洲雨林的泰拉,
which is more at home in the trees than on the ground. 在树上比在地上更像在家里.
The Asian badger, 亚洲獾,
at a complete opposite, 完全相反,
a ground dweller who spends most of its time 大部分时间呆在地上的人
in burrows beneath the earth. 在地下的洞穴里.
Though they are not related to the black bears 虽然它们和黑熊没有亲缘关系
that share their forest home,they have a similar build: 他们住在森林里,体型相似：
a powerful back for digging, 强大的挖掘后盾,
short stocky legs packed with muscle,and long claws. 短而结实的腿,肌肉发达,爪子很长.
Like bears,they are omnivores and opportunistic 像熊一样,它们是杂食动物和机会主义者
using their bulk to dig and rummage through the leaf litter 用它们的体积在落叶中挖掘和翻找
to find bugs,grubs,nuts,carrion. 找到虫子,蛴螬,坚果,腐肉.
Confedent like other mustelids, 像其他鼬科动物一样忏悔,
badges are often considered grumpy and confrontational. 獾通常被认为是暴躁和对抗性的.
So the bears give them a wide berth. 所以熊们给了他们一个很宽的位置.
Despite that bold confidence, 尽管有那么大的自信,
the mustelids are also masters of stealth and secrecy 鼬科动物也是隐身和保密的大师
that can go unseen. 可能看不见.
And never more so than when they're starting families. 当他们开始成家的时候再也不会这样了.
This European mink is keeping a low profile. 这只欧洲貂很低调.
She lines her riverbank den with moss. 她用苔藓把河岸上的巢穴围起来.
She made it nearly a year ago,but she delayed her pregnancy 她差不多一年前做的,但她推迟了怀孕
until the start of summer 直到夏天开始
when she knows food will be plentiful. 当她知道食物会很充足的时候.
Now she's ready, 现在她准备好了,
and under the cover of darkness welcomes a new family. 在黑暗的掩护下迎来了一个新的家庭.
The pups are born blind,pink and totally dependent. 幼崽出生时双目失明,粉红色,完全依赖他人.
The mother wraps around the five little ones 妈妈把五个孩子围在一起
to keep them boom with her body. 用她的身体来保持他们的繁荣.
To begin with,she will put her life on hold 首先,她将暂缓她的生命
giving them much needed life support. 给他们急需的生命支持.
But many mustelids grow fast. 但是很多鼬科动物长得很快.
The babies triple their size in just 10 days. 这些婴儿在10天内就长了三倍.
Mom's alert. 妈妈很警惕.
A passing squirrel is unlikely to be a threat. 路过的松鼠不太可能构成威胁.
But it's time for the mother to leave her brood for a short 但现在是时候让母亲暂时离开她的孩子了
but a much needed chance to feed herself. 但她需要一个养活自己的机会.
European mink have otter-like lifestyles 欧洲水貂有水獭般的生活方式
and she takes to the water in search of fish and frogs. 她到水里去找鱼和青蛙.
By the time the pups are a month-old,their eyes are open 当幼崽一个月大的时候,它们的眼睛已经睁开了
and they're starting to enjoy solid food. 他们开始享受固体食物了.
They still need milk too, 他们还需要牛奶,
doubling the demands on their mother. 对母亲的要求加倍.
With so many mouths to feed, 有那么多嘴要喂,
she spends most of her time hunting. 她大部分时间都在打猎.
Each time she catches a fish, 每次她钓到鱼,
she drops it on the bank. 她把它扔到了银行.
Eventually,she'll gather her catch 最终,她会收集她的猎物
and take it back to the den. 把它带回书房.
A fish supper for the family. 一家人的鱼晚餐.
The family of little hunters are versatile 小猎手一家多才多艺
when it comes to finding food. 在找食物的时候.
Though mostly a rodent-killer,this polecat's on a heist. 虽然大部分是啮齿动物杀手,但这只花貂是在抢劫.
Mute swans are among the planet's biggest,heaviest birds. 天鹅是地球上最重的鸟.
Taking one on would be a bit ambitious. 接受一个会有点野心勃勃.
But with nearly a dozen eggs on their nest, 但是它们的巢里有将近一打蛋,
it's not uncommon for one to be infertile or lost. 一个人不育或失去生育能力并不少见.
And the polecat sneaks in for an easy meal. 便便偷偷溜进来吃顿便饭.
A swan's egg is about the size of half a dozen chicken eggs, 天鹅蛋大约有六个鸡蛋那么大,
the ultimate omelet. 终极煎蛋卷.
Another overworked mom is refueled, 另一个过度劳累的妈妈在加油,
and the polecat ready for a big day: 花貂准备好迎接一个重要的一天：
to bring her little ones on their first excursion 带着她的孩子们第一次出游
from a den under a boat shed. 从船棚下的洞穴里.
There is so much to explore in that urban playground. 在那个城市游乐场里有很多东西可以探索.
They're a month-old. 他们一个月大了.
In another month or two,they'll be ready to leave home. 再过一两个月,他们就可以离家出走了.
They have a lot to learn, 他们有很多东西要学,
and curiosity will drive them to hone their instincts. 好奇心会驱使他们磨练自己的直觉.
In spring,forests come into their glory. 春天,森林进入了它们的辉煌.
Plant productivity reaches its height. 植物生产力达到顶峰.
Animal life abounds. 动物生活丰富多彩.
And many mustelids have new families. 许多鼬科动物有了新的家庭.
Most,like the mink and polecats, 大多数,像水貂和花貂,
are hardworking single moms. 都是勤劳的单身妈妈.
But there are a few exceptions. 但也有一些例外.
The European badger 欧洲獾
is one of the most social members of the family. 是这个家庭中最社会化的成员之一.
Their pups were born in winter 它们的幼崽是冬天出生的
and have only known months of darkness underground. 只知道地下几个月的黑暗.
As summer becomes longer and warmer, 随着夏天越来越长,越来越暖和,
their pups are ready to leave their den and explore. 它们的幼崽准备离开巢穴去探险.
The chunky adults,each about the size of a Cocker Spaniel, 矮胖的成年人,每个都有一只可卡犬那么大,
live in social groups from a few to 20, 生活在社会群体中,从几个人到20人,
several families sharing a complex system of dens. 几个家庭共用一个复杂的巢穴系统.
Some of these little ones 一些小家伙
will eventually strike out on their own, 最终会自己出击,
but others will stay on enlarging the family group. 但其他人会继续扩大家庭成员.
Usually only one dominant female in the group will breed 通常在群体中只有一只占优势的雌性会繁殖
and it will take half a year to raise the young. 而抚养孩子需要半年的时间.
But she has the support of the group 但她得到了团体的支持
to help watch over the playful youngsters. 帮助照看那些顽皮的年轻人.
Badges are mostly nocturnal,they don't like to be seen. 徽章大多是夜间活动的,它们不喜欢被人看见.
A herd of red deer is all it takes to send them packing. 只需要一群马鹿就可以把它们打包.
While badgers' teammates have got their backs, 虽然獾队的队友们都支持他们,
the mink mother toils alone. 貂妈妈独自劳作.
Though she supplies solid food, 虽然她提供固体食物,
the pups still rely on her milk. 幼崽们仍然依赖她的乳汁.
It's harder to keep the little ones under control. 更难控制住这些小家伙.
They become more precocious. 他们变得更加早熟.
But the family's growing fast, 但是这个家庭发展很快,
filling out their modest home. 填满他们简陋的家.
It's time for her pups to look beyond four walls. 是时候让她的小狗们从四面墙往外看了.
Some are more ready to take the leap than others. 有些人比其他人更愿意迈出这一步.
No baby mustelids know how to swim,even otters. 连水獭都不会游泳.
But they don't let that hold them back, 但他们不会因此而退缩,
even on the turbulent churning sea. 即使在波涛汹涌的大海上.
True sea otters exist. 真正的海獭是存在的.
But these are river otters 但这些是河獭
that have learned to exploit sea water. 他们学会了开发海水.
Otter mothers invest a lot of time and effort 水獭妈妈投入了大量的时间和精力
into their young. 他们的孩子.
Teaching them to swim is vital, 教他们游泳很重要,
but it's just the first lesson of many. 但这只是许多人的第一课.
Sea water comes with more challenges: waves and tides. 海水带来了更多的挑战：海浪和潮汐.
But if mastered, 但如果掌握了,
they are some of the most productive waters on earth. 它们是地球上最富生产力的水域之一.
Rock pools and seaweed forests hide fish, 岩石池塘和海藻林藏着鱼,
mollusks,and above all: tons of crabs, 软体动物,尤其是成吨的螃蟹,
the ultimate otter treat. 水獭的终极享受.
Air trapped in the otters thick fur 空气被困在水獭厚厚的毛皮里
helps to keep them warm in the cold water. 有助于在冷水中保持温暖.
They can hold their breath for an impressive eight minutes, 他们能屏住呼吸八分钟,
plenty of time to hunt down their quarry. 有足够的时间追捕猎物.
Mom catches a fish and drags it ashore to eat. 妈妈捉到一条鱼,把它拖上岸吃.
She doesn't want to share with the little ones. 她不想和孩子们分享.
She'll look after her pups for over a year, 她要照顾她的小狗一年多,
but sooner or later,they need to fend for themselves. 但迟早,他们需要自食其力.
Crunchy crustaceans are perfect for cutting their teeth. 松脆的甲壳类动物非常适合切齿.
They need disarming quickly 他们需要尽快解除武装
before their pincers can do any damage. 在他们的钳子造成任何伤害之前.
Once the shells popped,there's a rich feast. 一旦炮弹爆炸,就会有一场丰盛的盛宴.
The crabs are abundant,seafood all round. 螃蟹很丰富,到处都是海鲜.
After dinner,a bit of personal grooming is in order. 晚饭后,有一点个人打扮是必要的.
The seaweed acts like a natural tower. 海藻就像一座天然的塔.
Rolling on their backs, 仰面翻滚,
they can wring out water from their coats. 他们能把衣服上的水拧出来.
Their fur is exceptionally thick. 它们的毛皮特别厚.
It's vital to keep them warm. 给它们保暖很重要.
And so it needs constant maintenance. 所以它需要经常维护.
It's a double-layered coat 这是一件双层外套
with sleek guard hairs over a wooly undercoat. 有光滑的护卫毛覆盖在羊毛状的底毛上.
Grooming with their paws,they fluff air into the wool, 它们用爪子梳理,把空气吹入羊毛,
trapping it to act like a warming duvet. 诱捕它就像温暖的羽绒被.
Though this family have adapted to their coastal life, 虽然这个家庭已经适应了他们的沿海生活,
they'll occasionally seek our fresh water for a proper wash. 他们偶尔会找我们的淡水洗个澡.
As long as they are left alone, 只要他们一个人呆着,
charismatic otters can live close to people. 有魅力的水獭可以住在离人很近的地方.
Eurasian otters are one of the most widespread mustelids, 欧亚水獭是分布最广的鼬类之一,
roaming from Northern Africa throughout Europe and Asia. 从北非和整个欧洲漫游.
Some of their cousins are more specialized. 他们的一些堂兄弟姐妹更专业.
The biggest and the longest of all mustelids,giant otters, 最大最长的鼬科动物,巨型水獭,
are only found in the Amazon ecosystem. 只在亚马逊生态系统中发现.
Nearly two meters long, 将近两米长,
the sleek carnivores are dubbed river wolves. 这种光滑的食肉动物被称为河狼.
Like wolves,they hunt in packs. 它们像狼一样成群结队地捕猎.
It took two months for the young otters to learn to swim. 小水獭花了两个月才学会游泳.
But now they are fully fledged members of the gang. 但现在他们已经是这个团伙的正式成员了.
They're flat heads support high eyes,ears,and nostrils, 它们是扁平的头支撑着高高的眼睛、耳朵和鼻孔,
helping them to lie low in the water. 帮助他们躺在水里.
The Amazon,full of rotting leaves and silt, 亚马逊,到处都是腐烂的树叶和淤泥,
is murky like a giant flowing cup of tea. 一杯巨大的茶在流动.
The otters can close their eyes, 水獭可以闭上眼睛,
ears and nostrils underwater, 耳朵和鼻孔在水下,
but they are not flying blind. 但他们并不是盲目飞行.
With a huge array of whiskers,they can feel their way. 它们长着大量的胡须,能感觉到自己的方向.
Each needs to eat around four kilos of fish a day. 每人每天需要吃大约4公斤的鱼.
But by working together,they can fan out 但通过合作,他们可以分开
and flush fish from the undergrowth. 从灌木丛中冲洗鱼.
Well fed,they haul out. 吃饱了,他们就出来了.
Where the pack has a good feeding spot,they build a camp, 在狼群有好的觅食点的地方,他们会建一个营地,
flattening the ground around the burrow. 把地洞周围的地面弄平.
The social pack do everything together: 社交群体一起做所有事情：
playing,hunting,and sleeping as a team. 一起玩耍,打猎,睡觉.
Outside the den,they have a (indistinct) 在书房外面,他们有一个（模糊的）
and use scent glands on their chins to rub around the home, 用下巴上的气味腺体在家里摩擦,
coating it with their familiar odor. 涂上他们熟悉的气味.
Mustelids get their name from being musty. 鼬科动物因发霉而得名.
All,have a bit of a pong 所有人,来点乒乓球
and scent is a vital part of communication. 气味是交流的重要组成部分.
The giant otters are also a chatty bunch 巨型水獭也是一个健谈的群体
with more than 20 different calls, 有20多个不同的电话,
they have the biggest repertoire of the family. 他们有家里最大的剧目.
Of all mustelids,the giant otters 在所有的鼬科动物中,巨型水獭
are perhaps the tightest families. 也许是最紧密的家庭.
They work together to defend their home, 他们一起保卫家园,
and when new babies arrive, 当新生婴儿出生时,
everyone will help to protect them 每个人都会帮助保护他们
and catch fish to share with the whole family. 钓到鱼和全家人分享.
It's tougher for the loners. 对孤独的人来说更难.
Out on the meadows of Europe, 在欧洲的草地上,
the young polecats are on their own. 小便是靠自己.
They set out to establish lives for themselves 他们开始为自己建立生活
from the tender age of three months. 从三个月的幼年开始.
This male is a natural born rodent-killer. 这只雄性是天生的啮齿动物杀手.
He needs to earn his stripes. 他需要赢得他的荣誉.
His mother timed his birth, 他母亲给他安排了出生时间,
so that this challenging part of his life 所以这段充满挑战的生活
would coincide with the dispersal of rodent families. 与啮齿动物家庭的分散相吻合.
This hamster clan are nearing maturity 这个仓鼠家族快要成熟了
and venturing further from their burrow. 冒险离开洞穴.
The polecat wastes no time. 花貂不浪费时间.
Like the rest of his relatives, 像其他亲戚一样,
stoats,weasels,and ferrets, 白鼬、鼬鼠和雪貂,
he's incredibly bending like a pipe cleaner. 他弯得像个管子清洁工.
He'll be able to bend his way 他能弯道而行
through the narrow hamster-sized tunnels. 穿过仓鼠大小的狭窄隧道.
He's made it to their sleeping chamber: 他到了他们的卧室：
the heart of their home. 他们家的心脏.
But he's too late. 但他太晚了.
The family's already gone. 家人已经走了.
Most mustelids are bendy,whether it's to climb trees, 大多数鼬科动物身体都是细长的，无论是爬树还是
turn in circles to chase fish 转个圈去追鱼
or wind its way through burrows. 或者在洞穴中蜿蜒前行.
Badgers are the exception. 獾是个例外.
They have stiff,strong bodies, 他们有坚硬强壮的身体,
substituting flexibility for muscle 用柔韧性代替肌肉
to help them excavate their home. 帮助他们挖掘家园.
They are fastidious housekeepers 他们是挑剔的管家
with daily maintenance on tunnels and burrows. 隧道和洞穴的日常维护.
But with the chores done,they can relax in the sun. 但做完家务后,他们可以在阳光下放松.
Living underground can be itchy. 住在地下会让人发痒.
Dens can become riddled with fleas and other pests. 洞穴里会布满跳蚤和其他害虫.
But by living in a gang,they have 但是他们住在一个帮派里
a you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours philosophy. a你来帮我背,我来抓你的哲学.
Grooming represents quality time 打扮代表优质的时间
that binds the family. 这是家庭的纽带.
Most mustelids are true carnivores. 大多数鼬是真正的食肉动物.
Badgers eat anything from apples to rabbits, 獾吃任何东西,从苹果到兔子,
but their favorite food is earthworms 但它们最喜欢的食物是蚯蚓
and they have an intimate knowledge 他们有一个亲密的知识
of where the wriggly diggers will emerge each night. 每晚都会出现蠕动的挖掘者.
Before they leave,there's just one more job to do: 在他们离开之前,还有一件事要做：
make the bed. 整理床铺.
They might be a bit musty by nature, 它们可能有点发霉,
but these animals like to keep clean. 但是这些动物喜欢保持清洁.
To reduce the buildup of fleas and ticks, 为了减少跳蚤和虱子的堆积,
they regularly changed the bedding, 他们定期更换床上用品,
pulling out the old stuff 把旧东西拿出来
and replacing it with newly gathered grasses, 用新采集的草取而代之,
leaves and moss. 树叶和苔藓.
Badger clans are made up of several adult pairs 獾家族由几对成年獾组成
and their young,a true commune. 还有他们年轻的,真正的公社.
But in the Amazon, 但在亚马逊,
the giant otters follow the wolf lifestyle. 巨型水獭遵循狼的生活方式.
The family revolves around an alpha pair. 这家人围绕着一对阿尔法夫妇转.
The rest are several generations of their offspring. 其余的是他们几代人的后代.
They are fiercely territorial, 他们有强烈的领土意识,
and having big packs makes it easier to defend their catch. 有了大背包,就更容易保护他们的猎物.
Today,a neighboring clan is coming a bit close. 今天,一个邻近的部落就要接近了.
Each otter has a series of white patches on their throat 每只水獭的喉咙上都有一系列的白色斑块
which are unchanging from birth 从出生起就不变
and allow individuals to recognize each other. 让每个人互相认识.
The intruders periscope,lifting their heads 入侵者的潜望镜,抬起头来
and necks clear of the water and revealing their identity. 脖子露出水面,露出他们的身份.
They have gone beyond their own territorial boundaries 他们已经超越了自己的领土边界
and they are not welcome. 他们不受欢迎.
The family goes on the defensive. 这家人采取了守势.
It's usually the bigger males that lead the way, 通常是体型较大的雄性领路,
flanked by the rest of the gang. 在其他帮派成员的支持下.
In Spanish,they are known as river wolves. 在西班牙语中,它们被称为河狼.
And their local name in Brazil is water jaguar, 他们在巴西的本地名字叫水美洲虎,
alluding to their formidable personalities. 暗指他们可怕的个性.
They have been known to savagely attack each other. 众所周知,他们互相残暴攻击.
But this time it's mostly bravado, 但这次主要是虚张声势,
lots of noise and intimidation tactics. 很多噪音和恐吓手段.
It's enough to put the intruding pack in their place. 这足以让入侵的狼群就位.
By working together,they're so formidable 通过合作,他们是如此强大
that they can hold their own 他们可以拥有自己的
against the other top predators in their habitat: 与栖息地的其他顶级捕食者对抗：
caiman and even jaguars. 凯门鳄,甚至捷豹.
Their one nemesis is humankind. 他们唯一的敌人就是人类.
At one time,the otters were heavily hunted 有一段时间,水獭被大量捕杀
for their luxurious velvet-like fur. 因为他们奢华的天鹅绒般的毛皮.
Today,they are threatened by human exploitation 今天,他们受到人类剥削的威胁
of their rainforest home. 他们的雨林家园.
The human relationship with mustelids 人类与鼬科动物的关系
has always been complicated, 一直很复杂,
even here in Bhutan,in the foothills of the Himalayas. 即使在不丹,在喜马拉雅山脚下.
Mustelids are little predators with big appetites. 鼬科动物是一种胃口大的小食肉动物.
Often hunting in pairs or small groups, 经常成双成对或成群结队地打猎,
the Asian yellow-throated marten is a formidable foe, 亚洲黄喉貂是一个可怕的敌人,
hunting most animals it finds,even small deer. 猎杀它发现的大多数动物,甚至是小鹿.
Most animals know to avoid it. 大多数动物都知道如何避开它.
But it knows the whereabouts of easier prey. 但它知道更容易被捕食的猎物的下落.
A yellow-billed blue magpie sounds the alarm. 一只黄嘴蓝喜鹊发出警报.
Chickens are too easy to ignore. 鸡太容易被忽视了.
The hunter goes to fetch his family. 猎人去接他的家人.
The chicken dinner is well received by one. 鸡肉晚餐很受欢迎.
But the other pup's too busy training to be an agile hunter 但另一只小狗忙于训练,无法成为敏捷的猎手
like her mother. 就像她妈妈一样.
Because they are such sneaky and powerful predators 因为它们是如此狡猾和强大的捕食者
that often target livestock, 通常以牲畜为目标,
mustelids can be unpopular with people. 鼬科动物可能不受人们欢迎.
And for centuries,many species have been heavily hunted. 几个世纪以来,许多物种被大量捕杀.
In many areas members of this playful and intelligent family 在许多方面,这个活泼聪明的家庭成员
have been pushed to the brink of extinction. 已经被推向灭绝的边缘.
Also bred for their fur, 也为它们的皮毛而培育,
some species have been shipped around the world. 有些物种已经被运到了世界各地.
American mink have been widely introduced 美国水貂已被广泛引进
to other areas of the world 世界其他地区
where they have wreaked havoc on native wildlife. 他们对当地野生动物造成了严重破坏.
Bigger and more aggressive,it's even added to the decline 规模更大、更具侵略性,甚至加剧了衰退
of the now endangered European mink. 现在濒临灭绝的欧洲水貂.
Despite the persecution, 尽管受到迫害,
many mustelids are making a comeback. 许多鼬科动物正在卷土重来.
Autumn's coming to Europe's forests. 欧洲森林的秋天到了.
As the color drains from the leaves, 当树叶的颜色逐渐消失,
the trees deliver goodies to the ground below. 树把食物送到地下.
With adaptable diets, 通过适应性饮食,
the badgers are first on the scene to cash in. 獾是第一个到现场兑现的人.
The acorns will help them to fatten up 橡子可以帮助他们发胖
for the long cold months of winter 在漫长寒冷的冬天
that are heading their way. 他们正朝着他们的方向前进.
Fortunately,mustelids are tough 幸运的是, 鼬科动物很强壮
and can endure some of the toughest winters on the planet. 能忍受地球上最艰难的冬天.
Small streams and rivers freeze up, 小溪小河结冰,
locking away aquatic life. 锁定水生生物.
But otters are masters at finding cracks and crevices 但水獭善于发现裂缝和裂缝
and can slip under the ice to hunt. 可以在冰下打猎.
Even the much smaller minks are all right, 即使是小得多的水貂也没问题,
thanks to its thick fur. 多亏了它厚厚的皮毛.
It manages to grab a fish. 它设法抓住了一条鱼.
In these hard times,a meal is never overlooked. 在这艰难的时刻,一顿饭永远不会被忽视.
The buzzard does its best to steal a piece of the action. 秃鹫会尽其所能地偷取一部分动作.
But the mink's den is just deep enough to evade the claws. 但是水貂的巢穴足够深,可以躲开爪子.
It manages to slip out the back door. 它设法从后门溜了出去.
Many animals migrate or hibernate 许多动物迁徙或冬眠
to escape the worst of the weather. 为了躲避最坏的天气.
Big predators like wolves can stay active, 像狼这样的大型食肉动物可以保持活跃,
but they are not the only ones. 但他们不是唯一的.
A sable tries to keep a low profile 黑貂试图保持低调
with a prowling wolf around. 周围有一只潜行的狼.
While the yellow throated marten couldn't be more at home. 而黄喉貂却在家里.
But jay shallows him: 但杰伊让他变浅了：
members of the crow family often follow mustelids, 乌鸦家族的成员经常跟着貂走,
hoping for scraps. 希望有残羹剩饭.
But this marten is having too much fun to hunt. 但是这只貂有太多的乐趣去狩猎.
But while most of the mustelids are working hard in winter, 但是当大多数的鼬在冬天努力工作的时候,
there is one family shutting up shop. 有一户人家正在关店.
Having changed the bedding again, 又换了床上用品,
they use leaf litter to block the entrance to their burrow 它们用落叶堵住洞穴的入口
and settle down to sleep. 然后安顿下来睡觉.
They don't hibernate,but just relax. 它们不冬眠,只是放松一下.
Sleeping helps them to conserve energy. 睡觉有助于他们保存能量.
They can live off their fat reserves for months. 他们可以靠储备的脂肪生活几个月.
And by snuggling together, 依偎在一起,
will stay warm through the worst of winter. 在最坏的冬天都能保持温暖.
Mustelids are ever resourceful,intelligent and confident. 鼬科动物总是足智多谋,聪明而自信.
And with their power and predatory reputation, 以他们的权力和掠夺性的名声,
prove that size isn't everything. 证明尺寸不是一切.