Short-tailed mongoose

Short-tailed mongoose
	Short-tailed mongoose ( Herpestes brachyurus )
Systematics
Superordinate :	Laurasiatheria
Order :	Predators (Carnivora)
Subordination :	Feline (Feliformia)
Family :	Mongooses (Herpestidae)
Genre :	Herpestes
Type :	Short-tailed mongoose
Scientific name
	Herpestes brachyurus
	( Gray , 1837)

The short-tailed mongoose ( Herpestes brachyurus ) is a species of predator from the family of the mongoose (Herpestidae). They are found in Southeast Asia.

features

The short-tailed mongoose reaches a head-trunk length of about 35-49 cm. The tail measures about 17-25 cm, with which it has less than 55% of the head-trunk length. The weight is about 1–3 kg. The fur is dark brown and speckled with a light yellowish to orange. The head is rather pale olive, cheeks and throat are rusty yellow-brown, neck and belly brown. The front legs and the lower half of the rear legs are colored black-brown. The ears are short, the reddish nose is relatively large. The short-tailed mongoose has five toes on each of its fore and hind feet, the first being quite short.

Tooth formula: ${\ displaystyle {I3 \ times C1 \ times P4 \ times M2 \ over I3 \ times C1 \ times P4 \ times M2}}$

Distribution and subspecies

Distribution area of the short-tailed mongoose

The short-tailed mongoose is found on the Malay Peninsula , Borneo , Sumatra , Palawan and the Calamian Islands . There are four subspecies:

Herpestes brachyurus brachyurus (Gray, 1837) - Malay Peninsula
Herpestes brachyurus palawanus ( Allen , 1910) - Palawan and Calamian Islands
Herpestes brachyurus rajah ( Thomas , 1921) - Borneo
Herpestes brachyurus sumatrius ( Thomas , 1921) - Sumatra

With H. b. javanensis a subspecies from Java has also been described, but this is only known from a single specimen from a menagerie , of which it is also unclear whether it actually comes from Java. In addition, a similar mongoose from Borneo was described as a separate species ( Herpestes hosei ). Since no other finds of this form are known, it can be assumed that it was only an aberrant specimen of the short-tailed mongoose.

The short-tailed mongoose is relatively widespread, abundant in places and also occurs in various reserves. Therefore, it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN .

Way of life

The short-tailed mongoose inhabits primary and secondary forests, apparently preferring to be close to running waters. Occasionally it also invades plantations. On the Malay Peninsula it colonizes lowlands, while on Borneo it has been recorded at heights of 1280 m. The species feeds on small vertebrates , invertebrates , eggs, fruits, and roots. Short-tailed mongoose are apparently bottom-living, diurnal solitary animals. However, they also seem to be able to climb.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d J. S. 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 , (pp. 311 f.).

↑ Herpestes brachyurus in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011.1. Posted by: Widmann, P., Azlan J. & Hon, J., 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012.

[HMW_2009-1] J. S. 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 , (pp. 311 f.).