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Ruddy mongoose
Species of mongoose from South Asia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The ruddy mongoose (Urva smithii) is a mongoose species native to hill forests in India and Sri Lanka.[1]
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Description
Its head to body length is 40–45 cm (16–18 in) with a 36 cm (14 in) long tail.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The ruddy mongoose is mainly a forest-living animal and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded in secluded paddy fields and in comparatively open fields.[3]
Taxonomy
Herpestes smithii was the scientific name proposed by John Edward Gray in 1837 for a zoological specimen in the collection of the British Museum Natural History.[4] All Asian mongooses are now thought to belong in the genus Urva.[5]
Subspecies:[6]
- U. s. smithii
- U. s. thysanurus
- U. s. zeylanius
Ecology and behavior
It usually carries its black-tipped tail tip curved upward which is visible from a distance. Like other mongooses, it hunts by day and by night,[3] and feeds on birds, rat snakes, land monitors, rodents and snails. Generally a solitary animal, rarely can be seen in pairs during mating season. However, mother and pup family groups consisting about five animals have been observed.[2]
It is found in thick jungles, forest edges near paddy fields and tea estates. However, withdraw quickly in a crevice or underneath a rock shelf during human confrontation. When cornered, they fight fearlessly with loud and shrill cries.[2]
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In culture
In Sri Lanka this animal is usually regarded as an unlikable animal and a pest. The golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis), altogether a different species endemic to Sri Lanka, is also called hotambuwa due to similar appearance and coloration.
References
External links
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