Cunning mongooses
| Cunning mongooses | ||||||||||||
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Cunning mongoose ( Dologale dybowskii ) |
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Dologale | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1926 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Dologale dybowskii | ||||||||||||
| ( Pousargues , 1893) |
The cunning mongoose ( Dologale dybowskii ) is a species of predator from the mongoose family (Herpestidae) living in central Africa .
features
Cunning mongooses are among the smaller members of their family. They reach a head body length of 25 to 33 centimeters, a tail length of 16 to 23 centimeters and a weight of 300 to 400 grams. Their fur is short and soft, the top is brownish in color. The head and neck are darker, almost black, and the underside is reddish gray. They are thus similar to the dwarf mongooses . The muzzle is not elongated, the tooth formula is I 3/3 - C 1/1 - P 3/3 - M 2/2, so a total of 36 teeth.
distribution and habitat
The distribution area of this mongoose is not exactly known. There are finds in the south of the Central African Republic , in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo , in southern Sudan and western Uganda . Its occurrence may extend further west than previously known, to the Republic of the Congo . They mainly live in tree-lined areas and can be found in both savannah and mountain forests.
Way of life
Little is known about the way of life of these animals. The strong claws and rather soft teeth suggest that they dig in the ground for food and in doing so mainly eat invertebrates. They are believed to be diurnal and sleep in tree hollows or termite mounds.
threat
The cunning mongoose is only known from a few museum specimens and a few older sightings. There have been no confirmed reports of them for over two decades. Therefore, no information on the degree of danger can be given, the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN lists the species in the category "insufficient data" ( data deficient ).
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0801857899
- JS Gilchrist, AP Jennings, G. Veron and P. Cavallini: Family Herpestidae (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. 262-329.
Web links
- Dologale dybowskii in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009 Posted by: Stuart, C. Stuart, T. & Hoffmann, M., 2008. Accessed January 27 of 2010.