Broad-striped mongoose
| Broad-striped mongoose | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Galidictis fasciata | ||||||||||||
| ( Gmelin , 1788) |
The broad-striped mongoose ( Galidictis fasciata ) is a species of predator belonging to the group of Malagasy predators (Eupleridae).
features
Broad-striped mongooses reach a head body length of 30 to 34 centimeters, the tail measures 25 to 29 centimeters and the weight is 520 to 750 grams. They are slim and elongated and their legs are short. The name-giving feature is the gray-brown vertical stripes, which are separated by white stripes and extend on the back from the neck to the base of the tail. The belly is light gray, the face is gray-brown in color. The tail is bushy, the rear two thirds are strikingly white.
Distribution and way of life
These predators are endemic to Madagascar , where they inhabit the rainforests along the entire east coast. They usually live below 700 meters above sea level, but can occur up to 1500 meters above sea level. Most of the finds come from intact forests, but there are also reports of occurrences of the species in partially deforested areas.
Little is known about the way of life of the broad-striped mongoose. They are nocturnal and mostly stay on the ground, but can also climb trees. Most observations suggest a solitary life or a life in pairs. Their diet probably consists of rodents , small lemurs and various reptiles and amphibians .
Danger
Broad-striped mongooses live in low population densities and are rarely observed, but their range is likely to be relatively large. In some areas they suffer from the destruction of their habitat, and competition from the introduced Indian civet cat is also a danger. The IUCN lists the species as " near threatened ".
literature
- Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier (Eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, 2009, ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1 .
- Nick Garbutt: Mammals of Madagascar. A Complete Guide. Yale University Press, New Haven & London 2007, ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4
Web links
- Galidictis fasciata onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved on June 17, 2009.