Indian red mongoose
| Indian red mongoose | ||||||||||||
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Indian red mongoose in southern India |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Herpestes smithii | ||||||||||||
| ( Gray , 1837) |
The Indian red mongoose ( Herpestes smithii ) is a species of predator from the mongoose family (Herpestidae). It occurs in India and Sri Lanka. Little is known about their way of life.
features
Indian red mongooses have a typically elongated mongoose-like body. The head-trunk length is 39 to 47 centimeters, the tail is about twice as long. The weight of the species is around 2.7 kilograms. This means that the Indian red mongoose is on average somewhat larger than the Indian mongoose , which sometimes occurs in the same area. The color is brown, reddish underneath, the tip of the tail is black. There are two subspecies, Herpestes smithii smithii from India and Herpestes smithii zeylanius from Sri Lanka. The Indian form has a longer tail in relation to the body length.
distribution and habitat
The Indian red mongoose is common in India, with the exception of the northern parts, and in Sri Lanka. The species inhabits dry forests, thorn forests and open land areas. You can find them at an altitude of up to 2200 m. In Sri Lanka, however, it seems to be limited to the arid regions of the lower elevations. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN .
Way of life
The Indian red mongoose is evidently mainly diurnal. It usually hunts solitary and feeds on birds, reptiles and small mammals. It mainly moves on the ground, although it occasionally climbs trees. Little is known about reproductive behavior.
literature
- JS Gilchist, AP Jennings, G. Veron, & P. Cavallini (2009). Family Herpestidaae (Mongooses). In: 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 , (p. 311).
Web links
- Herpestes smithii in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2011. Posted by: Choudhury, A., Wozencraft, C., Muddapa, D. & Yonzon, P., 2008. Accessed August 9, 2011th