MONGOOSE

any of numerous small carnivores of the civet family (Viverridae) found in Africa, Asia, and southern Europe. There are more than 40 species, belonging to about 15 genera. The typical, most common, and probably best-known mongooses belong to the genus Herpestes. This genus contains about 10 species, among which are the ichneumon (H. ichneumon) of Africa and southern Europe and the Indian, or gray, mongoose (H. edwardsi) that was made famous as Rikki-tikki-tavi in Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. Mongooses are small, short-legged animals with pointed noses, small ears, and long, furry tails. The claws are nonretractile, and in most species there are five toes on each foot. The fur is gray to brown and is commonly grizzled or flecked with lighter gray. Markings, when present, include stripes, dark legs, and pale or ringed tails. The adult size varies considerably and ranges from 1724 cm (710 inches), exclusive of the 1520-centimetre tail, in the dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula), to 8090 cm, exclusive of the 2030-centimetre tail, in the small-toothed mongoose, or falanouc (Eupleres major). Mongooses are active, bold predators. They live in burrows and feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, eggs, and occasionally fruit. Most species are diurnal and land dwelling, although the water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) and a few others are semi-aquatic. Some mongooses live alone or in pairs, and others, such as the banded (Mungos mungo) and dwarf mongooses, live in large groups. Litters contain two to four young. A number of mongooses, including those of the genus Herpestes, will attack and kill poisonous snakes. They depend on speed and agility, darting at the head of the snake and cracking the skull with a powerful bite. They are not immune to venom, as popularly believed, nor do they seek and eat an herbal remedy if bitten. One species of mongoose, probably the spotted mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), was introduced into Hawaii and the West Indies to control rodents and snakes. The results were disastrous, because the mongooses severely damaged the populations of the native fauna. Because of the potential destructiveness of the animals, importation of mongooses of any species into the United States is strictly regulated. Vernacular names for certain mongooses include cusimanse (kusimanse) for Crossarchus and meerkat (mierkat) for Mungos, Cynictis (the yellow mongoose), and others.