The
Mustelidae (from Latin
mustela, weasel) are a family of
carnivorous mammals, including the
otter,
badger,
weasel,
marten,
ferret,
mink and
wolverine. Mustelids are diverse and the largest family in the
order Carnivora. The internal classification is still disputed, with rival proposals containing between two and eight subfamilies. One study, published in 2008, questions the long-accepted Mustelinae subfamily, and suggests that Mustelidae consist of four major
clades and three much smaller
lineages.