Southern pygmy mongoose
| Southern pygmy mongoose | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern pygmy mongoose ( Helogale parvula ) |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Helogale parvula | ||||||||||||
| ( Sundevall , 1847) |
.jpg)
The southern dwarf mongoose ( Helogale parvula ) is a species of predator from the mongoose family (Herpestidae). It inhabits large parts of eastern and southern Africa . It lives in groups of 9 to 12 animals, in which only the dominant pair reproduces. Their main food is insects .
features
Southern dwarf mongooses are among the smallest species of mongoose. They reach a head-torso length of 16 to 23 centimeters, plus a 14 to 19 centimeter long tail. The weight is 210 to 420 grams. There is no obvious sexual dimorphism , males and females are colored and approximately the same size. The color of their short, soft fur varies from yellowish to dark brown, there are also animals that are completely black. In some individuals, the throat and chest are reddish in color. The paws each end in five toes. The claws of the front paws are up to 10 millimeters long and adapted to the digging, the claws of the hind paws are slightly shorter at 8 millimeters.
The short, domed head ends in a pointed snout. The ears are small and rounded. The tooth formula is I 3/3 - C 1/1 - P 3/3 - M 2/2, so you have a total of 36 teeth. The teeth are sharp and strong, especially the canines. The outer upper incisors are larger than the inner ones, the molars have high cusps to adapt to the insect food.
distribution and habitat
Southern dwarf mongooses inhabit large parts of eastern and southern Africa . Their distribution area extends from Ethiopia and Somalia to northern South Africa and westward to Angola and Namibia . They inhabit a number of habitats, including savannas, sparse forests, and scrublands. However, they avoid overly dry areas.
Lifestyle and diet
These animals are diurnal and live in groups. At night they rest together in underground burrows, in crevices or in termite mounds , in the morning they leave their sleeping place and return there before sunset. They often rest at noon.
Groups consist of an average of 9 to 12 animals, but there can also be up to 30. They contain approximately the same number of males and females as well as the corresponding young animals. They are organized matriarchally and are led by an older female. This determines the hiking routes and takes priority in food sources. The second tallest animal is their partner, an older male. These two are often the only animals in the group that reproduce. The other group members establish a hierarchy in which the younger animals have a higher rank than the older ones, but the females always dominate the males. The group life is harmonious, arguments within the group are rare. Mutual grooming is common, and the animals mark each other with glandular secretions. There are reports that the mongooses took care of a sick group member.
They are territorial animals. The size of the area is 0.30 to 1 km², the borders are guarded against intruders. If two groups meet, the smaller one usually withdraws without a fight, but it can rarely lead to arguments.
The length of the day forays is up to 1 kilometer. When looking for food, an animal takes on the role of guardian. It goes to a higher post and looks for predators, of which it warns the other animals with shouts. In particular, the subspecies Helogale parvula undulata associates itself with the blanket toko and the eastern yellow-billed toko , two species from the hornbill family, when foraging . The two Toko species catch the insects (especially grasshoppers) that scare away the pygmy mongooses as they forage. The dwarf mongooses benefit from this protocooperation because both tokos warn of predators from the air. The dwarf mongooses wait for the toko to begin their prey. Both tokos show specific behaviors to indicate to the dwarf mongooses that they are willing to cooperate.
The group members go looking for food together, but split up. The animals feed mainly on insects such as beetles and termites . They also eat millipedes , spiders and small vertebrates such as small mammals, geckos, snakes and birds. They break bird eggs by grabbing them with their front paws and hurling them through their hind legs at a stone.
Reproduction
Usually only dominant females reproduce, the reproduction of the subordinate animals is suppressed. The dominant female carries around three quarters of all litters, the other females rarely reproduce due to hormonal factors. If a subordinate female still has a litter, the newborns do not survive and are often killed by the dominant female. The gestation period is seven weeks, the litter size up to six, but usually two to three. Up to four litters a year can be carried, but births often fall in the wetter months.
The subordinate females take care of the young, they warm and guard them and also suckle them. The role of this "babysitter" changes daily. After around 40 to 45 days, they are weaned, then the young animals also begin to accompany the older animals on their forays. Each young animal looks for a full-grown animal that will guard it in particular and provide it with food.
Due to the social structure, males and females rarely reproduce before the age of three. Life expectancy in the wild is 10 years for males and 14 years for females.
Danger
Southern dwarf mongooses are common and widespread; no major threats are known. The IUCN estimates the total population as stable and lists the species as "not endangered" ( least concern ).
Systematics
A number of subspecies are distinguished in their wide range:
- Helogale parvula parvula in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique,
- H. p. ivori in Tanzania and North Mozambique,
- H. p. mimetra in Botswana and Namibia,
- H. p. nero in central Namibia,
- H. p. ruficeps in Zambia,
- H. p. undulata in eastern Africa from Ethiopia and Malawi and
- H. p. varia from Angola to Uganda.
Some of these subspecies, for example H. p. undulata are occasionally listed as a separate species.
The closest relative of the southern dwarf mongoose is the eastern dwarf mongoose ( Helogale hirtula ), together they form the genus of the dwarf mongoose ( Helogale ).
literature
- 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.
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Single receipts
- ^ Alan Kemp: The Hornbills - Bucerotiformes . Oxford University Press, Oxford 1995, ISBN 0-19-857729-X . P. 141 and P. 143
Web links
- Helogale parvula onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved October 6, 2009.