Mongoose[1]
Common Dwarf Mongoose, Helogale parvula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Suborder: Feliformia Family: Herpestidae Bonaparte, 1845
Synonyms
Cynictidae Cope, 1882 Herpestoidei Winge, 1895 Mongotidae Pocock, 1919 Rhinogalidae Gray, 1869 Suricatidae Cope, 1882 Suricatinae Thomas, 1882

A mongoose (plural mongooses or, rarely, mongeese^[2], though the word has no etymological connection to the goose) is a member of the family Herpestidae, a family of small cat-like carnivores. The word mongoose is derived from the Marathi word mangus. Mongoose can have several possible uses: Mongoose is a species of carnivorous mammal in the Herpestidae family. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 155 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Mongoose Dwarf Mongoose Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria For the folk-rock band see The Mammals. ... Families 17, See classification The diverse order Carnivora (IPA: or ; from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 species of placental mammals. ... Families Canidae Felidae Herpestidae Hyaenidae Mephitidae Mustelidae Nandiniidae Odobenidae Pinnipedia Procyonidae Ursidae Viverridae The diverse order Carnivora includes over 260 placental mammals. ... Charles Lucien Jules Laurent Bonaparte (May 24, 1803 _ July 29, 1857) was a French naturalist and ornithologist. ... In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. ... Geese redirects here. ... The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ... Binomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis lybica invalid junior synonym The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ... Families 17, See classification The diverse order Carnivora (IPA: or ; from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 species of placental mammals. ... Marathi (मराठी ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western India. ...

Description

Mongooses are widely distributed in Asia, Africa and southern Europe, as well as some Caribbean islands, where they are introduced species. There are more than thirty species, ranging from one to four feet in length. Some species of mongooses lead predominantly solitary lives, seeking out food only for themselves, while others travel in groups, sharing food among the members of the group. Mongooses mostly feed on insects, crabs, earthworms, lizards, snakes, chickens, and rodents. However, they also eat eggs and carrion. Some species, such as the Indian Mongoose, are popularly used to fight and kill venomous snakes, even king cobras. They are able to do this because of their agility and cunning, and their thick coat, but typically avoid the cobra and have no particular affinity for consuming its meat.^[3] For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... West Indies redirects here. ... IT is a new species. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... For other uses, see Crab (disambiguation). ... For the LPG album, see The Earthworm (album). ... For other uses, see Lizard (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Suborders Sciuromorpha Castorimorpha Myomorpha Anomaluromorpha Hystricomorpha Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing. ... In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... An American Black Vulture feeding on squirrel carrion For other uses, see Carrion (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Herpestes javanicus É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818 Synonyms Herpestes auropunctatus The Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Asian Mongoose or the Javan Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is a species of mongoose found in the wild in South and Southeast Asia. ... A venomous snake is a snake that uses modified saliva, venom, delivered through fangs in its mouth, to immobilize or kill its prey. ... Binomial name Cantor, 1836 Range (in red) The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the worlds longest venomous snake, growing to a length of 18. ...

Some species of mongoose can be domesticated, are fairly intelligent, and can be taught simple tricks, so they are often kept as pets to control vermin. However, they can be more destructive than desired: when imported into the West Indies to kill rats and snakes, they destroyed most of the small, ground-based fauna. For this reason, it is illegal to import most species of mongoose into the United States,^[4] Australia and other countries. Mongooses were introduced to Hawaii in 1883, and have had a significant impact on native species.^[5] Look up vermin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ... This article is about rats. ... Fauna is a collective term for animal life. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Year 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The mongoose emits a high pitched noise, commonly known as giggling, when it mates. The giggling is also a form of courtship when this animal is choosing a mate^{[citation needed]}.

Anatomy

Mongooses have long faces and bodies, small rounded ears, short legs, and long tapering tails. Most are brindled or grizzled; few have strongly marked coats. They have non-retractile claws that are used primarily for digging. Mongooses, much like goats, have narrow, ovular pupils. Most species have a large anal scent gland, used for scent marking of territories, and signalling reproductive status. The dental formula of mongooses is similar to that of viverrids: For an alternative meaning, see ear (botany). ... A scorpion tail The tail is the section at the rear end of an animals body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. ... This article is about the domestic species. ... Scent marking can take two forms, the first the scent used to indicate territory, the second a scent that is released when the ferret is either happy or scared. ... Dentition is the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. ... Subfamilies Cryptoproctinae Euplerinae Hemigalinae Paradoxurinae Viverrinae The 35 species of civet, genet and linsang make up the family Viverridae. ...

Mongooses also have receptors for acetylcholine that, like the receptors in snakes, are shaped so that it is impossible for snake neurotoxin venom to attach to them. Research is being done to determine if similar mechanisms protect the mongoose from snake hemotoxic venoms.^[6] The chemical compound acetylcholine, often abbreviated as ACh, was the first neurotransmitter to be identified. ... A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells – neurons – usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels. ... Hemotoxins are toxins that destroy red blood cells (hemolysis), disrupt blood clotting, and/or cause organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage. ...

Ecology

Behavioral ecology

The Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) is sometimes held as an example of a solitary mongoose, though it has been observed to work in groups also.^[7]

The Meerkat or Suricate (Suricata suricatta) lives in troops of 20 to 30 consisting of an alpha male and female, usually together with their siblings and offspring, in open country in Southern Africa (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa). The Meerkat is a small, diurnal mammal foraging for invertebrates in open country. Its behaviour and small size (it weighs less than one kilogram) makes it very vulnerable to larger carnivores and birds of prey. However, the Meerkat has been known to eat small birds that migrate through Southern Africa. To protect the foraging troops from predators, one Meerkat serves as a sentinel — climbing to an exposed vantage point and scanning the surroundings for danger. If the sentinel detects a predator it gives a loud alarm call to warn the troop and indicate if the threat comes from the air or the ground. If from the air, the meerkats rush as fast as they can to the nearest hole. If from the ground, the troop flees but not quite so fast as meerkats are more able to evade terrestrial predators than airborne raptors. Binomial name (Schreber, 1776) Meerkat range The meerkat or suricate Suricata suricatta is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. ...

Relationship with humans

Mongooses are a common spectacle for road-side shows in India. Snake-charmers typically keep mongooses for mock fights with snakes. In Okinawa, there is a tourist attraction where a mongoose and a type of local venomous snake, the habu (one of various Trimeresurus species) are placed in a closed perimeter and allowed to fight, while spectators watch. However, due to pressure from animal rights activists, the spectacle is less common today. This article is about the prefecture. ... Species T. okinavensis T. elegans T. flavoviridis T. tokarensis A Habu is any of four species of venomous snakes found in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. ... Trimeresurus is a genus of venomous pit vipers commonly known as bamboo vipers. ... A man holds a monkey with a limb missing by a rope around her neck, a scene epitomizing the idea of animal ownership. ...

In ancient Egypt according to the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus (1.35 & 1.87), native mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon) were venerated for their ability to handle venomous snakes and for their occasional diet of crocodile eggs.

The Rudyard Kipling fictional story Rikki-Tikki-Tavi features a pet mongoose that saves its human family from a deadly cobra. This article is about the British author. ... Rikki-Tikki-Tavi book cover Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a short story in The Jungle Book (1894) by Rudyard Kipling about the adventures of a valiant young mongoose. ... Egyptian Cobra, Naga haje This article is about snakes. ...

Taxonomy and classification

Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula)

The mongooses belong to one of four families of terrestrial cat-like mammals descended from the viverravines, which were civet/genet-like mammals. The mongoose family is a close evolutionary relation of the family Viverridae and mongooses are sometimes classified as members of this family; however, mongooses have characteristic and distinguishing morphological and behavioural features though they do have the same basic dental formula as the viverrids. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1037x691, 689 KB) Summary Taken by Schuyler Shepherd(Unununium272). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1037x691, 689 KB) Summary Taken by Schuyler Shepherd(Unununium272). ... Binomial name Helogale parvula Sundevall, 1847 The Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula), sometimes called Common Dwarf Mongoose to distinguish it from the Desert Dwarf Mongoose () is a small African carnivore belonging to the mongoose family (Herpestidae). ... Families Miacidae Viverravidae Miacoidea is an extinct paraphyletic superfamily that has been traditionally divided into two families of carnivores: Miacidae (the miacids) and Viverravidae. ... Genera Chrotogale Cynogale Diplogale Hemigalus Arctogalidia Macrogalidia Paguma Paradoxurus Civettictis Viverra Viverricula Civets are mammals, most of which are species in the family Viverridae. ... Genera Genetta Osbornictis Genets are Old World carnivores of the family Viverridae, related to civets and linsangs. ... Subfamilies Cryptoproctinae Euplerinae Hemigalinae Paradoxurinae Viverrinae The 35 species of civet, genet and linsang make up the family Viverridae. ...

In contrast to the arboreal, nocturnal viverrids, mongooses are more commonly terrestrial and many are active during the day. Most are solitary like the Egyptian Mongoose but a few, for example the Meerkat, have well-developed social systems. The kinkajou is an arboreal mammal. ... A bat illustrating nocturnal features. ...

Less diverse than the viverrids, the 30 species and 11 genera of African and Asian mongooses include the Cape Gray Mongoose, the Egyptian Mongoose and the Meerkat or Suricate.

Classification

• FAMILY HERPESTIDAE
  • • Genus Atilax
      • Marsh Mongoose, Atilax paludinosus
    • Genus Bdeogale
      • Bushy-tailed Mongoose, Bdeogale crassicauda
      • Jackson's Mongoose, Bdeogale jacksoni
      • Black-footed Mongoose, Bdeogale nigripes
    • Genus Crossarchus
      • Alexander's Kusimanse, Crossarchus alexandri
      • Angolan Kusimanse, Crossarchus ansorgei
      • Common Kusimanse, Crossarchus obscurus
      • Flat-headed Kusimanse, Crossarchus platycephalus
    • Genus Cynictis
      • Yellow Mongoose, Cynictis penicillata
    • Genus Dologale
      • Pousargues' Mongoose, Dologale dybowskii
    • Genus Galerella
      • Angolan Slender Mongoose, Galerella flavescens
      • Cape Grey Mongoose, Galerella pulverulenta
      • Slender Mongoose, Galerella sanguinea
    • Genus Helogale
      • Ethiopian Dwarf Mongoose, Helogale hirtula
      • Common Dwarf Mongoose, Helogale parvula
    • Genus Herpestes
      • Short-tailed Mongoose, Herpestes brachyurus
      • Indian Gray Mongoose, Herpestes edwardsii
      • Indian Brown Mongoose, Herpestes fuscus
      • Egyptian Mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon
      • Small Asian Mongoose, Herpestes javanicus
      • Long-nosed Mongoose, Herpestes naso
      • Collared Mongoose, Herpestes semitorquatus
      • Ruddy Mongoose, Herpestes smithii
      • Crab-eating Mongoose, Herpestes urva
      • Striped-necked Mongoose, Herpestes vitticollis
    • Genus Ichneumia
      • White-tailed Mongoose, Ichneumia albicauda
    • Genus Liberiictus
      • Liberian Mongoose, Liberiictis kuhni
    • Genus Mungos
      • Gambian Mongoose, Mungos gambianus
      • Banded Mongoose, Mungos mungo
    • Genus Mungotictis
      • Narrow-striped Mongoose, Mungotictis decemlineata
    • Genus Paracynictis
      • Selous' Mongoose, Paracynictis selousi
    • Genus Rhynchogale
      • Meller's Mongoose, Rhynchogale melleri
    • Genus Suricata
      • Meerkat, Suricata suricatta

Binomial name Atilax paludinosus Cuvier, 1829 The Marsh Mongoose, or Water Mongoose, is a medium-sized mammal weighing 5. ... Binomial name Atilax paludinosus Cuvier, 1829 The Marsh Mongoose, or Water Mongoose, is a medium-sized mammal weighing 5. ... Bdeogale is a genus of three species of mongoose native to the rainforests of central and western Africa. ... Binomial name Bdeogale crassicauda Peters, 1852 Category: ... Binomial name Bdeogale jacksoni Thomas, 1894 The Jacksons Mongoose is the least known and possibly rarest of all African carnivores, known only from a few observations and museum specimens. ... Binomial name Bdeogale nigripes Pucheran, 1855 Category: ... Species Crossarchus alexandri Crossarchus ansorgei Crossarchus obscurus Crossarchus is a genus of mongoose, commonly referred to as the cusimanse, or dwarf mongoose. ... Binomial name Cynictis penicillata Cuvier, 1829 The Yellow Mongoose is a small mammal averaging about 1 lb (1/2 kg) in weight and about 20 in (500 mm) in length. ... Binomial name Cynictis penicillata Cuvier, 1829 The Yellow mongoose is a small mammal averaging about 1 lb (1/2 kg) in weight and about 20 in (500 mm) in length. ... Dologale is a species in Order Carnivora, Family Herpestidae, and includes the African Tropical Savannah Mongoose, or Dologale dybowskii. ... Binomial name Dologale dybowskii Pousargues, 1893 The Pousargues Mongoose, also known as the African Tropical Savannah Mongoose, is a species in genus Dologale. ... Binomial name Galerella pulverulenta Wagner, 1839 Sometimes classified as Herpestes pulverulentus. ... Binomial name Galerella sanguinea Rüppell, 1836 Category: ... Subfamiles Herpestinae Galidiinae A mongoose is any member of the Herpestidae family of small, cat-like carnivores. ... Binomial name Herpestes brachyurus Gray, 1837 Category: ... Binomial name Herpestes edwardsii É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818 They are know for killing poisonous snakes. ... Binomial name Herpestes fuscus Waterhouse, 1838 Category: ... The Egyptian mongoose is found in Africa (quite commonly in Sudan). ... Binomial name (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818) Subspecies H. j. ... Binomial name de Winton, 1901 Long-nosed mongeese eat people. ... Binomial name Herpestes semitorquatus Gray, 1846 Category: ... Binomial name Herpestes smithii Gray, 1837 Category: ... Binomial name Herpestes urva Hodgson, 1836 The Crab-eating Mongoose (Herpestes urva) is a species of mongoose found in northwestern India, Nepal, Myanmar, southern China, and through southeast Asia, including the countries of Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Laos and Thailand. ... The Striped-necked Mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis) is a species of Mongoose found in southern India. ... Binomial name Ichneumia albicauda G. Cuvier, 1829 Category: ... Binomial name Ichneumia albicauda G. Cuvier, 1829 Category: ... Binomial name Liberiictis kuhni Hayman, 1958 Categories: | ... Binomial name Liberiictis kuhni Hayman, 1958 Categories: | ... Binomial name Mungos gambianus Ogilby, 1835 Category: ... Binomial name (Gmelin, 1788) The banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) is a mongoose commonly found in the central and eastern parts of Africa. ... Binomial name Mungotictis decemlineata (A. Grandidier, 1867) The Narrow-striped Mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata), also locally called boky-boky (pronounced BOO-ky BOO-ky) in Malagasy, is a member of the Eupleridae family, subfamily Galidiinae. ... Binomial name Mungotictis decemlineata (A. Grandidier, 1867) The Narrow-striped Mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata), also locally called boky-boky (pronounced BOO-ky BOO-ky) in Malagasy, is a member of the Eupleridae family, subfamily Galidiinae. ... Binomial name Paracynictis selousi de Winton, 1896 Category: ... Binomial name Paracynictis selousi de Winton, 1896 Category: ... Binomial name Rhynchogale melleri Gray, 1865 Category: ... Binomial name Rhynchogale melleri Gray, 1865 Category: ... Binomial name (Schreber, 1776) Meerkat range The meerkat or suricate Suricata suricatta is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. ... Binomial name (Schreber, 1776) Meerkat range The meerkat or suricate Suricata suricatta is a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family. ...

Gallery

Mongoose, or Mangouste as depicted in the 1851 Illustrated London Reading Book

Long-nosed Cusimanse, Crossarchus obscurus

Banded Mongoose, Mungos mungo

Mongoose - Project Gutenberg eBook 11921 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Mongoose - Project Gutenberg eBook 11921 This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x607, 74 KB) Summary Photographer: User:Dawson Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x607, 74 KB) Summary Photographer: User:Dawson Licensing File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Mongoose. ... Image File history File links Mongoose. ...

Bibliography

• Anne Rasa: Mongoose Watch: A Family Observed. Garden City, NY: Anchor Press/Doubleday & Co., 1986
• H.E. Hinton and A.M.S. Dunn: Mongeese: Their Natural History and Behaviour. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1967.

References

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Herpestidae

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