Narrow striped mongoose
| Narrow striped mongoose | ||||||||||||
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Narrow striped mongoose |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Mungotictis | ||||||||||||
| Pocock , 1915 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Mungotictis decemlineata | ||||||||||||
| ( A. Grandidier , 1867) |
The narrow-striped mongoose ( Mungotictis decemlineata ) is a species of predator living in Madagascar from the family of the Madagascan predators (Eupleridae).
anatomy
Narrow-striped mongooses have a gray fur, on the back and on the flanks there are 8 to 10 narrow, dark longitudinal stripes. The belly and legs are light gray-beige in color, and the bushy tail is light gray and unpatterned. The trunk is elongated, the limbs are relatively short, the toes are connected by small webbed feet. The muzzle is remarkably elongated, the ears are small and rounded. These animals reach a head body length of 26 to 35 centimeters, a tail length of 23 to 27 centimeters and a weight of 450 to 750 grams.
A distinction is made between two subspecies: The nominate form Mungotictis decemlineata decemlineata has a slightly lighter back and less noticeable stripes, while M. d. lineata the back is darker and the stripes are more clearly visible.
Distribution and way of life
Narrow-striped mongooses live in western and southwestern Madagascar. In the north their range is limited by the river Tsiribihina and in the south by the Manombo. Their habitat are predominantly dry deciduous forests , which include baobabs and dense undergrowth. They occur from sea level up to 400 meters above sea level.
Way of life
They are predominantly diurnal, but sometimes go in search of food at night. They can be found both on the ground and in trees, and they can swim very well. They use empty anthills, relocated, hollow tree trunks and tree hollows as resting places. A seasonal variance can be observed: in the warm rainy season they sleep more often in tree hollows up to 10 meters above the ground, while in the cooler dry season they tend to seek shelter on the ground. They never stay in the same hideout for long periods of time to ward off predators and parasites.
They live in groups that have a complex social structure. The groups usually consist of three to five adults and the associated young animals and are led by a dominant female. After mating, the adult males leave the group and lead solitary lives for several months. In the cool dry season, the groups are smaller. The groups' territories cover around 13 to 25 hectares; the boundaries are marked with scent glands. The territories of different groups can overlap at the edges, but there are no aggressive encounters.
food
The diet of these animals consists primarily of insects . In the dry season in particular, insect larvae that they dig out of the earth or rotting leaves make up the main component of food. They also eat small vertebrates such as lemurs , tenreks , birds and reptiles . They also eat giant snakes and honey, according to local reports, but this has not been independently verified.
Reproduction
Mating is seasonal and usually occurs in August or September. The male expects the female before the exit of her den. At first the female reacts aggressively and wants to chase the male away, but this aggressiveness subsides over the next hour and the female lets the male copulate with her up to three times. The dominant female of a group is ready to reproduce a little earlier than the other females.
The gestation period lasts around 90 to 105 days, according to other reports only 74 days. Then a single young animal weighing around 50 grams is born. This can already start on the day of his birth, starts eating solid food after 15 days and is finally weaned after around two months. After that, the young animal remains in its birth group for some time, and sexual maturity occurs at around two years of age.
threat
Narrow-striped mongooses depend on relatively untouched forests and are sensitive to disturbances. The main dangers are the destruction of their habitat and the stalking by feral domestic dogs . The IUCN lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ).
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- 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
- Mungotictis decemlineata onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved on June 17, 2009.