‖ teledu
(ˈtɛləduː)
Also † telagu.
[Native name in Javanese.]
A carnivorous animal of Java and Sumatra (Mydaus javanensis), allied to the skunk and of similar habits; also called stinking badger or stinkard.
| 1821 T. S. Raffles in Trans. Linnean Soc. XIII. 251 Mephitis Javanensis Desm. Telagu of the Malays. 1824 Horsfield Zool. Res. Java, Tĕlĕdu, in the language of Java, East of Cheribon. Ibid., The covering of the Tĕlĕdu is adapted to the elevated and cold regions which it inhabits. Ibid., The entire neighbourhood of a village is infected by the odour of an irritated Tĕlĕdu. 1906 E. Ingersoll Life of Animals: Mammals 176 Two related animals of the East are the teledu, or stinking badger, a small nocturnal burrower of Java and Sumatra..and the large, long-snouted, piglike sand badgers. 1965 D. Morris Mammals 292 The Teledu is well able to defend itself by means of the offensive secretions of its large anal glands. |