Bornean ferret badgers weigh up to 3 kg (6.6 lb) and reach a maximum recorded body length of 44 cm (17 in).

[4][5] The most recognisable and defining characteristic of this species of ferret badger is the "ferret-like mask"[4] pattern of colouration on its face, that is either white or yellow.

[4] This species is also distinguishable from other ferret badgers by a dorsal stripe that runs from the top of its head to the bottom of its shoulders,[6][5] which ranges in colour from white to red.

[5] A limited number of survey efforts have been conducted in montane forests in north-east Kalimantan, Sarawak and southern Sabah, but there is currently no evidence that the Bornean ferret badger inhabits these regions.

[1] Resulting in the area of occupancy of the Bornean ferret badger totalling only 1,100 km2 (420 sq mi), considerably smaller than its extent of occurrence.

Two camera-trapping studies have been conducted within the geographic and altitudinal range of the Bornean ferret badger, to determine the relative size of the population compared to other animal species in the area.

[7] The first camera-trap survey in Crocker Range National Park detected the Bornean ferret badger at a much lower rate than other similar-sized carnivores in the area.

"[1] This assumption is based on the extent of habitat conversion and encroachment experienced by the Bornean ferret badger, and the potential inability of it to "thrive in isolated slash and burn agriculture fields not surrounded by old-growth forests.

[4] While little is known about the Bornean ferret badger's specific diet,[1] it is an omnivore that forages on the ground for invertebrates, amphibians, insects, fruit, and carrion.

[4] The breeding season of the Bornean ferret badger is relatively long and occurs annually, as females are able to reproduce at all times throughout the year.

[4] The major natural threats to the Bornean ferret badger are all linked to the very small extent of occurrence of its population (4,200 km2)[1] and its concentration in a single forest environment.

[8] Similarly, the island of Borneo experiences an extreme monsoon season and occasionally typhoons,[11] that could potentially eliminate the ferret badger population.

[12] It will also have negative impacts on the Bornean ferret badger population, as higher temperatures from the effects of climate change result in upslope range shifts.

[7] Incidents such as illegal land clearing near Kinabalu National Park in 2011 place increased pressure on the already endangered Bornean ferret badger population.

[16] Given slash and burn agriculture and human encroachment are major threats to the Bornean ferret badger's population and distribution range, the protected status of Kinabalu National Park is significant to conservation efforts.

[7] This is significant to the conservation efforts of the Bornean ferret badger, as Crocker Range National Park is surrounded by numerous settlements of the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut communities, which have moderately fast-growing populations that practice slash and burn agriculture.

"[8] Another conservation priority for the Bornean ferret badger is the establishment of a formal buffer zone with clearly specified land-use restrictions around Kinabalu National Park.

[13] This would reduce the impacts of human encroachment on the Bornean ferret badger's habitat, which has experienced significant losses of forest cover in the area surrounding Kinabalu National Park.