Table of Contents
Description
Egyptian Mongoose
Range
Feeding
(Hepestes ichneumon)
Behavior
Reproduction
Conservation
Links
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia Family: Herpestidae Phylum: Chordata Subfamily: Herpestinae Class: Mammalia Genus: Herpestes Order: Carnivora Species: ichneumon
The Egyptian mongoose has a long-haired, gray with dotted brown specks, coat. It has a long slender body and a long bushy tail that ends in black. The body is from 48 to 60 cm in length with the tail, without it measures 33-54 cm. They have a long face, small rounded ears, and short legs with five digits on each foot. This mongoose also has a large anal sac with two glandular openings. The 35-40 teeth are carnassials, and well developed for tearing.
The range for the Egyptian mongoose is in Israel, Portugal, Spain, and most of Africa. It has also been introduced to Madagascar and Italy. The habitat is on the ground near trees and water. They shelter at night in burrows, hollow logs, trees, or rock crevices. They will also live by cultivated fields and vegetated canal banks.
The diet consists of invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, eggs, and even fruits once in a while. To break open an egg the mongoose will throw them between their legs against something hard. These animals also have a reputation for killing snakes, and it has even been said that they are immune to the venom, but this is false. The mongoose has also been seen hunting and eating insects and their larvae; they sniff and dig it right out of the ground. To catch its faster prey, they will snatch it up with a quick and skillful strike.
The group size of the Egyptian mongoose ranges from 1 to 7. Environmental pressures, mainly food, keeps the group numbers low. They are diurnal and are very alert and playful during that time. Although when young enough these animals can be tamed, in the wild adults can be very vicious when approached. The water is not a problem either, they will swim when needed with ease. The anal glands have much importance in the group setting, they are a way of communication for following one another, to mark an area, and can let a male know that the female is in estrous.
The female not only sends out a special estrous scent from the anal glands, but will also become red and swollen in the vulva when ready to mate. The sexual maturity level is around two years old, the gestation period is 11 weeks and will breed again in as little as ten days after giving birth to 2 to 4 babies.
The Egyptian mongoose at this time is in no danger of becoming endangered and actually it is one of the most abundant carnivores in an area. These animals can be a great help in keeping rodent problems in check, but can also harm the populations of many other animals.
For more information, contact Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
Page created by Jennifer Peterson, Pensacola Junior College ZooTech Student, Fall 2002
