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Indian Grey Mongoose
Herpestes edwardsi
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Herpestidae
Genus: Herpestes
Species: edwardsi
Range and Habitat
Indian grey mongoose ranges from eastern Arabian peninsula to India
Indian grey mongoose are found throughout the entire country of India,west to
Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, eastward to parts of southeastern areas of
China. They prefer areas of bush and tall grass.
The Indian grey mongoose, AKA, the common grey mongoose
is a medium sized tawny or yellowish grey with a lighter underside,
darker feet, and dark red tail tip. They have a reddish tint to their heads.
Their tail length equals their body length. Body length: 14-17 inches (36-45cm)
Tail length: 17 inches (45 cm), weight: 2-4 lb. (0.89-1.7kg). Males are significantly
larger than the females.
The Indian grey mongoose is diurnal. They are commonly found in
open forests,
scrub lands and fields. Often close to human habitation. They live in burrows,
hedgerow, among grooves in trees, rock crevices and even drains. The mongoose
is a very bold and inquisitive but wary, seldom venturing far from cover. It climbs
well. Indian grey mongoose are usually solitary but are sometimes in pairs.
The Indian grey mongoose feeds on variety of things. .
They prey on rodents, such as mice and rats. They are
also known for killing poisonous snakes with great speed.
They also enjoy birds' eggs and hatchlings, lizards and
a variety of invertebrates which are also a part of the menu.
The Indian grey mongoose has also been know to eat some
fruit.
The Indian grey mongoose breed all year,
with a gestation period around 60-65 days.
The litter size is 2-5 babies. Sexual maturity
is at the age of 6-9 months of age. They live to
be about 11 year and 2 months in captivity
The Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) is the most common of the 7 species of Herpestes. They are listed in Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972, Appendix III of CITES (w.e.f 16/3/1989). They were upgraded from SC IV (w.e.f Oct. 2002).
The Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) is trapped by poachers. Then stunned and if lucky beaten to death. The hair is then plucked out by hand. Sometimes the animal is still alive. Then the hair is packed in sacks and sent to a production center. Each animal yields about 20 grams of usable hair. After it is cleaned and graded it is then used for making paint brushes.
The price of the mongoose hair ranges from INR 3000-4000 ?KG.
Cool Indian Grey Mongoose Links:
Lioncrusher.com search.msn.com/images/results
www.wii.gov.in/envis www.wildlife-pictures-online.com
www.naturfoto.cz www.backgroundcity.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cobra www.breedingcentresharjah.co
For more information contact the Small Carnivore TAG Education Liaison
This page was created and designed by:
Sandra Dempsey
Pensacola Junior College Zoo Animal Technology Program
Fall 2006
Taxonomy
