Short-tailed mongoose
Mongoose ( Herpestes brachyurus )
The mongoose ( Herpestes brachyurus ) is a species of prey from the mongoose family ( Herpestidae ). They are found in Southeast Asia.
Features
The mongoose reaches a head-body length of about 35-49 cm. The tail measures about 17-25 cm, with which he has less than 55% of head-body length. The weight is about 1-3 kg. The fur is dark brown, while light yellow to orange mottled. The head is rather pale -olive, cheeks and throat are rusty yellow brown, neck and abdomen brown. The front legs and the lower half of the hind legs are stained dark brown. The ears are short, reddish nose is relatively large. The mongoose has at the front and hind feet five toes, the first is always quite short.
Dental formula:
Distribution and subspecies
The mongoose is on the Malay Peninsula, in 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 was also described a subspecies in Java, but this is known only by a single specimen from a menagerie, in which also is unclear whether it actually comes from Java. From Borneo similar Mongoose was described as a separate species ( Herpestes hosei ) beyond. Since no other finds of this form are known, can be assumed that it was merely an aberrant specimen of the mongoose.
The mongoose is relatively common, sometimes frequently and is furthermore present in various reserves. Therefore, it is classified by the IUCN as endangered not (Least Concern ).
Way of life
The mongoose inhabits primary and secondary forests, and apparently the proximity of rivers preferred. Occasionally it penetrates even in plantations. On the Malay Peninsula, they settled lowlands, while it is detected on Borneo at altitudes of 1280 m. The species feeds on small vertebrates, invertebrates, eggs, fruits and roots. Kurzschwanzmangusten seem to live in the soil, diurnal loner. However, they seem to be able to climb.