Mongoose
| Mongoose | ||||||||||||
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Common mongoose ( Paracynictis selousi ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Paracynictis | ||||||||||||
| Pocock , 1916 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Paracynictis selousi | ||||||||||||
| ( De Winton , 1896) |
The Selous' Mongoose ( Paracynictis selousi ) even Selous Mongoose called, is one of southern Africa living carnivore species from the family of mongooses (Herpestidae). It is one of the few species of mongoose that has never been researched in detail, comparatively little is known about their behavior and claims.
features
Common mongoose are similar to the fox mongoose , but they are significantly larger. They reach a head body length of 39 to 47 centimeters, a tail length of 28 to 40 centimeters and a weight of 1.4 to 2.2 kilograms. As with all mongooses, their bodies are elongated and their limbs are relatively short. Their fur is gray in color, the feet are black and the tail ends in a white tip. Each foot ends in four toes with long, curved claws.
distribution and habitat
These animals live in southern Africa. Their distribution area extends from Angola , Malawi and Zambia to Mozambique and eastern South Africa . Their habitat are bushlands and open forests.
Way of life
Little is known about the way of life of the Mongoose. With their large claws, they dig for themselves labyrinthine burrows in which they spend the day. At night they go in search of food, mostly on the ground. Their prey includes insects , frogs , lizards and small rodents .
They are shy and withdrawn animals. When threatened, they emit a strongly smelling secretion from the anal glands, the white tip of the tail could act as a warning signal - similar to the skunks .
Hazardous situation
The mongoose is included in the Red List of Endangered Species by the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature . However, there it is referred to as “Least Concern”.
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999 ISBN 0801857899
- Gus Mills & Lex Hes: Mammals of Southern Africa . Struik Publishers, 1997 ISBN 3-8290-3610-8
Web links
- Paracynictis selousi in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009 Posted by: Stuart, C. Stuart, T. & Hoffmann, M., 2008. Accessed January 27 of 2010.