Pousargues's mongoose

The Sly Mongoose ( Dologale dybowskii ) is a living in the central African carnivore species from the mongoose family ( Herpestidae ).

Features

Sly mongoose among the smaller members of their family. They reach a body length from 25 to 33 centimeters, a tail length of 16 to 23 centimeters and a weight of 300 to 400 grams. Their fur is short and soft, it is brownish in color at the top. Head and neck are darker, almost black, and the underside is reddish gray. They thus resemble the Zwergmangusten. The muzzle is not elongated, the dental formula is I 3/ 3 - C 1/ 1 - P 3/3 - M 2 /2, for a total of 36 teeth.

Distribution and habitat

The range of this Mongoose is not precisely known. Finds there is in the south of the Central African Republic, in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Sudan and western Uganda. It is possible that their occurrence extends further west than previously known, to the Republic of Congo. They inhabit mainly wooded areas and can be found here in both savannah and in mountain forests.

Way of life

Over the life of these animals, little is known. Let the strong claws and teeth rather soft close that they dig in the ground for food while taking mainly invertebrate animals to him. You are probably diurnal and sleep in tree hollows or termite mounds.

Threat

The Sly Mongoose is known only from a few museum specimens, and a few older sightings. For over two decades, there are no confirmed reports more about them. Therefore no information can make to the degree of danger, the World Conservation Union IUCN lists the species in the category of " insufficient data " (Data Deficient ).