Indian brown mongoose
Indian mongoose ( Herpestes fuscus )
The Indian mongoose ( Herpestes fuscus ) is a species of prey from the mongoose family ( Herpestidae ). The distribution area is limited to a small area of southern India and Sri Lanka.
Features
The mongoose is a relatively large and heavy Mongoose. It reaches a head-body length of about 33 to 48 centimeters. The tail is about 19 to 33 centimeters and thus takes 69-70 % of the body length a. The weight is about 2-7 kg. The fur is dark brown to almost black, while slightly mottled yellowish to beige, the feet are black. The tail is bushy.
The type has both in the upper and in the lower jaw, three incisors ( incisors ), a canine ( canine ), four Vorbackenzähne ( Praemolares ) and two molars ( Molar ) in each half of the jaw. Overall, the animals have 40 teeth. Compared to the little mongoose ( Herpestes javanicus), the front portion of the tympanic bubble ( bulla ) is flattened and extends below the occipital protuberance.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Indian short -tailed mongoose is limited to parts of southern India and Sri Lanka. It is used in South India at altitudes 700-1300 meters from Virajpet in the southern part of the district of Kodagu to Udagamandalam in the Nilgiri mountains, Tiger Shola in the Palni Mountains, in Madurai, Kalakad - Mundanthurai in the Meghamalai and the Valparai plateau before the Annamalai mountains and in Peeramedu in Kerala.
The mongoose lives in dense primary forests and surrounding landscapes. In South India, it also occurs in tea and coffee plantations. In Sri Lanka this species is found in forests of the lowlands, the central mountains and the arid regions.
Way of life
The Indian mongoose is crepuscular and mainly nocturnal. About the diet of the species are no data, probably it feeds like other Herpestes species of small vertebrates, invertebrates, eggs, fruits and roots. Also concerning reproduction little is known. It makes buildings under stones, the females probably take three to four pups.
System
The Indian mongoose is recognized as a distinct species, but by some authors as a subspecies of the brown mongoose ( Herpestes brachyurus ) was described.
Within the species, four subspecies are distinguished. In addition to the nominate form H. f fuscus it involves H. f phillipsi, H. and H. f f siccatus rubidior.
Threat and protection
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) classifies the Indian mongoose as " threatened " ( vulnerable ), since it is assumed that the population within the last three generations or the last 15 years due to habitat loss to more than 30% has been reduced. Secure information on population size or population trends do not exist, however.