Ring-tailed Mongoose
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| Galidia elegans Saint-Hilaire, 1837 |
The Ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans) is an Euplerid that lives on the island of Madagascar. Although it is called a "mongoose", it is really a closer relative to the fossa.
The Ring-tailed mongoose is relatively small but is the largest member of the Subfamily Galidiinae.It is usually 32 to 38 cm (12.5 to 15 in) long and weighs only 700 to 900 g (24 to 32 oz). Its body is long and slender, and the rounded head has a pointed snout. The body is a dark red color and the feet are black, and, as the name implies, its bushy tail is covered with black and red rings.
Ring-tailed mongooses are very agile, and good climbers. They are quite playful and are active during the day. Their habitat consists of humid forests.
Their diet is mostly of small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and eggs, but they occasionally eat insects and fruit. The population of Ring-tailed mongooses has decreased by 20% over the past ten years due to habitat loss. Another problem is competition with the small Indian civet (Vivericula indica).
[edit] External links
Animal Diversity Web Ring-tailed mongoose
