Mongoose (Herpestidae). Common mongoose Mongoose and man

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Top 10 animals that are usually kept at home

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Yesterday we still dreamed of having an octopus, but today the list of desired and desirable pets has expanded significantly! Outlandish creatures are kept in aquariums under special conditions so that the larvae do not turn into ambysts and do not change their appearance - body shape, color.

Description

The length of the animal's body is from 36 to 45 centimeters, the length of the tail is up to 35 centimeters. Weight ranges between 0.9 and 1.7 kilograms. The Mungo's body is long, slender and lean, and its limbs are relatively short. The coat color is silver-gray, the paws are darker. The tip of the tail is dark red, and there are reddish stripes on the Mungo's head.

Habitat

The natural distribution area of ​​the Indian munggo extends from the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, through Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the territories of India and Burma. Mungos prefer grassy meadows overgrown with shrubs, but they easily adapt to other conditions. As an excellent hunter of snakes and rodents, mungo was also brought by humans to the Malay Peninsula, Reunion, Mauritius, the Ryukyu Islands, Italy and Jamaica.

Habits and habits

Indian Mungoes are diurnal. As a rule, these are loners; occasionally they live in families. In the morning, mungos leave their burrows in search of food. Their common prey includes small vertebrates, lizards, snakes and birds. They also feed on insects, scorpions and fruits. Mungos are surprisingly agile, so they can attack even poisonous snakes with almost no risk of being stung. At the same time, contrary to popular belief, mungos are not immune to snake venom. In a fight with a poisonous snake, the mongoose, due to deceptive movements and jumps to the side, avoids the bites, gradually wears down the snake and then attacks itself. Moreover, even if the cobra gets at the animal with its poisonous teeth, it does not always manage to sting the mungo, since it is protected by thick, dense fur.

A female mongoose gives birth to 2 to 4 babies 2-3 times a year; pregnancy lasts from 60 to 65 days. The mother feeds the cubs with milk for 4-5 weeks.

Mongoose and man

The Indian Mungo is a fairly numerous and widespread species. In the Red Book it is marked with the designation “Least Concern”, meaning that it is not in danger of extinction. On the contrary, with the help of man, the mungo, as an excellent rat hunter, populated areas that initially did not belong to its habitat. However, the widespread distribution of mongooses also had negative consequences (in a new place they attacked rare representatives of the local fauna, devoured poultry, etc.). In addition, after the extermination of rodents that fed on insects by mongooses, the number of insect pests sharply increased.

As Alfred Brehm reports in his writings, in India, domesticated mungos are often kept in households. In South Asia they are sometimes kept in homes as pets. The mongoose protects its home from snakes and rats, for which it receives shelter and food. As Brem writes, " Mungo quickly makes friends with people. After just a short time, he follows his owner everywhere, eats from his hand and behaves like a pet." This unusual connection between man and wild animal was also noticed by the great expert on India, the writer Rudyard Kipling, who immortalized it in his

How many animals can you name that are not at all afraid of snakes? Probably not very much. How many animals do you know that hunt dangerous poisonous snakes? Such fearless hunters can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and the bravest and most famous of them is.

Of the 35 known species of mongoose, all are predators, but not all of them prey on venomous snakes. Some species’ size does not allow this to be done, some simply do not encounter creeping creatures in their habitat, other species may simply not like to constantly risk their lives trying to get food. But who really knows how and, probably, even loves to hunt creeping reptiles, is Indian Gray Mungo or common mongoose.

This is a relatively small animal from the civet family. Body length ranges from 36 to 45 cm, weight from 900 g to 1.7 kg. The color is gray with brown, sometimes red patches, the paws are almost black or dark brown. Their body is elongated and their legs are short, they look like a dachshund, but in agility, speed and reaction, few can compete with a mongoose on an equal footing. The tail is fluffy and very long, sometimes slightly longer than the entire body. In its offensive arsenal, the beast has long and sharp claws and even more dangerous teeth.

Looking at the gray mungo, as well as any other mongoose, it is very difficult to imagine how this small, seemingly cute and clumsy creature can defeat the most dangerous spectacled cobra. Although the mongoose's appearance is deceptive, in reality they are simply fantastically fast, and their reaction speed is one of the highest in the animal world. But this is still not enough to cope with the cobra. This requires a special combat strategy, and Mungo has it. He teases the snake with his sudden movements and lunges. By attacking several times in a row, the snake is pretty exhausted, and only after that Mungo delivers the decisive blow, sinking his teeth into the reptile’s neck.

It was previously believed that mongooses, and mungos in particular, were immune to snake venom. But this is not true; they are just as defenseless against toxins as other mammals. The only means of protection is thick and dense fur, which only in rare cases can save you from the teeth of a cobra.

The true motives for hunting snakes by mongooses still remain a mystery. After all, mongooses are not particularly picky about food; they eat both food of plant origin - berries, fruits, roots, and caught game - rodents, birds, crustaceans, insects. Obviously, finding berries or getting a chick out of a nest is much easier than killing a deadly snake, but the latter are hunted very often.

Therefore, mongooses are often credited with noble intentions in the fight against poisonous reptiles. The famous writer Rudyard Kipling wrote:

Hatred for snakes is in the mongoose’s blood, and war with them is its purpose in this world.

In his opinion, mongooses almost consciously serve humans.

A little about service, or rather about friendship with a person. Despite their wild nature, the animals quickly and easily become domesticated. Over time, they easily recognize their owner, become affectionate and playful, come into people’s arms and even purr like cats with pleasure. But at the same time, the mongoose never loses its instincts, so if some snake crawls into the house, it will not be happy. For this reason, families in India often keep mungos as pets and guard dogs at the same time.

Everyone knows the hero of Kipling's fairy tale named Riki-Tiki-Tavi, but few people know that the wild mongoose not only bravely fights snakes, but also quickly becomes attached to humans. Follows around, sleeps next to him and even dies from melancholy if the owner leaves.

Description of the mongoose

Mongooses appeared during the Paleocene, approximately 65 million years ago.. These small animals, under the scientific name Herpestidae, belong to the suborder Felidae, although in appearance they look more like ferrets.

Appearance

Mongooses are not striking in size compared to the mammalian predators of the planet. The muscular elongated body, depending on the species, falls within the range of 18–75 cm with a weight of 280 g (dwarf mongoose) and 5 kg (white-tailed mongoose). The tail resembles a cone and is equal to 2/3 of the length of the body.

A neat head, topped with rounded ears, turns into a narrowed muzzle with proportionate eyes. The mongoose's teeth (from 32 to 40) are small but strong and are designed to pierce snake skin.

This is interesting! Not long ago, mongooses were excluded from the civet family. It turned out that, unlike the latter, which have perianal scent glands, mongooses use anal ones (to lure females or mark their territory).

The animals have excellent vision and easily control their strong flexible body, making legendary lightning-fast throws. Sharp non-retractable claws, which are used for digging underground passages during peacetime, also help to cope with the enemy.

Thick, hard fur protects against snake bites, but does not protect against the dominance of fleas and ticks (in this case, mongooses simply change their shelter). The fur of different species has its own color, from gray to brown, plain or striped.

Subspecies of mongoose

The family Herpestidae (Mongoose) consists of 17 genera, uniting 35 species. Among two dozen genera (almost) the most common are:

• water and yellow mongooses;
• blackfoot and whitetail;
• dwarf and striped;
• cuzimanzas and Liberian mongooses;
• Dologale and Paracynictis;
• Suricata and Rhynchogale.

This also includes the most numerous genus Herpestes (Mongooses) with 12 species:

• small and brown mongooses;
• short-tailed and long-nosed mongooses;
• Javan and Egyptian mongooses;
• collared and striped-necked mongooses;
• crabeater mongoose and swamp mongoose;
• Indian and common mongoose.

This is interesting! It is the last two species from the genus Herpestes that are considered unsurpassed fighters in fights with poisonous snakes. The humble Indian mongoose, for example, is capable of killing such a powerful opponent as a 2-meter spectacled cobra.

Character and lifestyle

With pronounced territoriality, not all animals are ready to fight for their area: as a rule, they calmly coexist with other animals. Twilight activity is typical for hermit mongooses, and daytime activity is typical for those who prefer to live in groups (meerkats, striped and dwarf mongooses). These species dig their own or occupy other people’s burrows, not at all embarrassed by the presence of their hosts, for example, ground squirrels.

Dwarf/striped mongooses like to settle into old termite mounds, leaving babies and 1-2 adults there while the rest forage. The family community usually consists of 5–40 mongooses, busy (except for feeding) with combing wool and noisy games with imitation of fights and chases.

In hot weather, the animals lurk in the sun near their burrows, relying on their camouflage coloration, which helps them blend into the landscape. However, there is always a sentry in the group, observing the area and warning of danger with a cry, after which the mongooses slip away for cover.

How long does a mongoose live?

Mongooses born in large communities have a better chance of living a long life compared to those born alone. This is explained by collective responsibility - after the death of their parents, children are raised by other members of the group.

This is interesting! Mongooses have learned to fight for their lives on their own: having missed a snake bite, they eat “mangosweil,” a medicinal root that helps cope with the effects of snake venom.

The average lifespan of a mongoose in nature is approximately 8 years, and almost twice as long in captivity (zoo or home).

Range, habitats of the mongoose

Mongooses inhabit mainly the regions of Africa and Asia, and certain species, for example, the Egyptian mongoose, can be found not only in Asia, but also in Southern Europe. This species is also introduced to the American continent.

Mongoose habitats:

• wet jungle;
• wooded mountains;
• savannas;
• flowering meadows;
• semi-deserts and deserts;
• sea ​​coasts;
• urban areas.

In cities, mongooses often adapt sewers, ditches, crevices in stones, hollows, rotten trunks, and inter-root spaces as housing. Some species stay near water, inhabiting the banks of reservoirs and swamps, as well as river estuaries (water mongoose). Most predators lead a terrestrial lifestyle, and only two (ring-tailed and African slender mongooses) prefer to live and feed in trees.

Mongoose “apartments” can be found in the most amazing places, including underground, where they build branched underground tunnels. Nomadic species change housing approximately every two days.

Diet, what does a mongoose eat?

Almost all mongooses search for food on their own, uniting only when obtaining some large objects. This is what dwarf mongooses do, for example. They are omnivorous and not capricious: they eat almost everything they can lay their eyes on. Most of the diet consists of insects, a smaller part - small animals and plants, and sometimes carrion.

Mongoose diet:

• small rodents;
• small mammals;
• small birds;
• reptiles and amphibians;
• eggs of birds and reptiles;
• insects;
• vegetation, including fruits, tubers, leaves and roots.

Crabeater mongooses feed mainly on crustaceans, which water mongooses do not refuse. The latter look for food (crustaceans, crabs and amphibians) in streams, pulling prey out of the silt with sharp claws. The water mongoose does not disdain crocodile eggs and small fish. Other mongooses also use their claws to obtain food, tearing leaves/soil with them and pulling out living creatures, including spiders, beetles and larvae.

Natural enemies

For mongooses, these are birds of prey, snakes and large animals such as leopards, jackals, servals and others. More often, cubs that do not have time to hide in the hole in time fall into the teeth of predators.

An adult mongoose tries to elude the enemy, but, driven into a corner, it shows character - it arches its back, bristles its fur, raises its tail threateningly, growls and barks, bites and shoots off stinking liquid from the anal glands.

Different peoples of the world have their own preferences regarding pets. In Russia and European countries, it was customary to have cats to protect the house from rodents, but in India, mongooses perform this role. But small animals save Indian homes not only from rats, but also from snakes, whose bites kill thousands of people every year.

Mongooses are mammals of the carnivorous order, which are classified into a separate family, Mongooses, although not so long ago they were still classified as members of the civet family. By the way, the famous meerkats also belong to the mongoose family. These are small animals the size of a cat or a little larger, and their body sizes range from 25-75 centimeters with a weight of 1-5 kilograms.

More than 30 species of mongoose are known in nature and live in Africa and southern Asia, inhabiting a variety of landscapes from deserts to tropical rainforests. Most often they settle in underground burrows, forming large colonies of up to 50 individuals. Mongooses are agile and fast animals that swim well; there are even mongooses that lead a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

The ability of mongooses to hunt snakes is widely known. This is the reason for their incredible popularity in India. In this country, like nowhere else in the world, the population suffers from poisonous snake bites. According to official data, more than 50,000 Indians fall victim to venomous snakes every year. At the same time, a paradoxical situation is observed: no one is fighting them, since snakes are considered sacred animals. Well, mongooses are not so scrupulous towards dangerous reptiles, which is why Indians keep them at home.

In India, the common mongoose, or Indian gray mungo (lat. Herpestes edwardsii), is common as a pet. These animals quickly become tamed: once you catch and feed the mongoose, making it clear that nothing threatens it, it already considers the person its friend. This type of mongoose is found in houses not only in India, but also in other parts of Asia and even in Africa, where it performs the same function - it hunts rats, mice and snakes.

It turns out that Rudyard Kipling’s fairy tale “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” could well be a retelling of a true story, because mongooses in India are very loved and valued for their ability to kill snakes, and are also revered as sacred animals.

Indian Gray Mungo

When thinking about buying a pet, many people pay attention to the species in our region. Different kinds are not for everyone, while most people want to have a funny-looking and unpretentious animal in the house. The circle of “candidates” inexorably narrows when they remember how easy it will be to tame such a pet. And here the mongoose comes into view, which may well be suitable as a pet.

Description and photo

This is the common name of a family that includes 35 species living both in the wild and near people. In India and African countries, they are considered habitual human companions (something like). The popularity of mongooses was largely due to their appearance. Their entire body is densely covered with fluffy fur, soft to the touch. It also adds a variety of colors: individuals living in the southern regions are characterized by a yellowish-red color, while their “northern” relatives have fur diluted with splashes of gray. In winter, the fur turns pale, losing its chic appearance (in the spring it acquires it again).

The best companions are considered to be species such as the common (also known as Indian) mongoose, yellow (fox) and African, better known as striped or mungo. The latter has gained many fans among domestic owners, so we will pay special attention to it. Body length ranges from 30-48 cm, with the tail accounting for up to 25. An adult specimen reaches a weight of 2-2.5 kg. The coat is long and somewhat stiffer than that of other species, lengthening as it approaches the tail. Note that there are almost no processes on the abdomen.

Important! Another feature of the animal is its claws, which do not retract. This poses a risk for any polished surfaces in the house (primarily furniture).

The color scheme stands out. The hairs at the roots are light; closer to the middle they darken, thereby forming two wide stripes. The tip is usually black-brown. The different lengths of wool form the very pattern that captivates everyone who saw this miracle from the outside. A small head with a short, pointed muzzle also works as an image. The ears are small and round. The paws seem a little short relative to the body and in color repeat the design of the lower sides and crown. There are 5 toes on the front paws, and only 4 on the hind paws. The big front toe has a long (about 8 mm) straight claw, which the animal uses to dig holes.
Other processes are curved. Their teeth are large and strong, on average, the number of incisors reaches 40. Life expectancy: 7-12 years, depending on conditions. In a word, in appearance the animal is in many ways reminiscent of. If you look at the photo, it turns out that all species differ only in their “coats” and dimensions (from 25 cm for smaller lines to an impressive 75 for the largest ones). Having found out what a domesticated mongoose looks like, let’s pay attention to its habits.

Character traits

Mongooses have a sociable nature, which, coupled with natural curiosity, makes these animals ideal companions. They are very smart, which requires constant attention from their owners.

Did you know? In the central regions of India, mongooses are revered as sacred animals.

Thanks to the image of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi from the fairy tale about Mowgli, mongooses gained the reputation of natural “opponents” of snakes. In fact, this is not entirely true: the animal enters into a fight with them as a last resort (due to a slower reaction). They often conflict with rats, but zoologists note that this is not entirely typical behavior: representatives of this family are distinguished by their peacefulness and show aggression in exceptional cases. The period of highest activity occurs during daylight hours, although a healthy individual can remain alert at night. To understand what to expect from a mongoose, be it a striped or a fox specimen, you need to keep in mind how its relatives behave in the wild.

Life of mongooses in the wild

Habitat - south-eastern regions of Asia (in particular, India) and the entire territory of Africa along with Madagascar. There they are found mainly in open areas near water bodies: they try to avoid deserts and mountains. They live in groups of up to 50 individuals and have their own leader (often a female). Together they dig holes that reveal entire underground galleries. True, mongooses use them only for sleeping or as shelter in case of danger: most of the time is spent on the surface.

Important! As soon as it sees a stranger in the house, the mongoose will immediately stand on its hind legs, making a piercing whistling sound. Don't be afraid - this is a normal reaction, and nothing threatens the guest (except for the case when he still tries to pick up the unusual inhabitant).

They also defend together - when they see the enemy approaching, they huddle together, fluffing their tails and not forgetting to make a sharp sound. They defend themselves zealously, but if the forces are not equal, they can fight. They are considered predators - their favorite delicacies are insects, small rodents and frogs (less often snails or fish). Although they don’t refuse plant foods either: roots and fruits that they can reach are used.
Mungos, unpretentious in food, went even further, not disdaining even fresh manure. They reproduce quickly - in a year a female can have 2 or even 3 broods (2-3 babies each). Until the age of one month, the offspring are fed milk, and after that the young animals begin to imitate adults, trying to get food on their own.

Is it worth starting at home?

Considering such inclinations of the animal, even before purchasing, you should carefully consider whether you can cope with such an active pet, which will be a domestic, but still wayward mongoose.

Behind

Owners of such animals can give the following arguments in favor of keeping them:

• accuracy- in captivity, mongooses are very clean: they do not scatter food and are well accustomed to the tray;
• affection for owners- smart animals love to be in sight, and even more so to play with the people around them. You can often hear them chirping quietly - such sounds relax;
• ability to get along with other pets- or they will be good companions;
• relative unpretentiousness and moderation in eating;
• learning ability- many individuals react to the nickname they receive.

Did you know? Contrary to popular belief, these animals are not immune to snake venom.

Adding to this a touching appearance, you might think that you couldn’t find a better roommate among animals. But you shouldn’t make hasty conclusions - the “minke whale” also has its downsides.

Against

Potential owners of the mongoose are confused by the inherent disadvantages of this species. The main ones include:

• a specific odor released from glands on the face and under the tail. This is especially noticeable in a small room;
• wary attitude towards strangers - guests, taking this creature in their hands, risk being scratched;
• the need for constant attention, especially when the pet has left the cage;
• Many people miss the fact that mongooses, unlike or, do not get rid of “wild” habits, which requires care in handling them.

Conditions and care of the animal

In order for an overseas guest to delight with his contented appearance, he will have to create a suitable microclimate (and more). But first things first.

Climatic conditions

Due to their origin, mongooses are sensitive to heat. But this does not mean that you need to keep the lamp on all the time near the cage.

Important! In an effort to provide maximum comfort to their furry pet, some place the cage almost right next to a radiator or heater (this is precisely what should not be done).

It is enough to place the “home” in a warm, dry corner away from damp walls (and there are those in almost every house). Of course, a draft is also excluded: the animal is unusual for such natural phenomena. There are no specific recommendations for temperature conditions, but the owners try to maintain a temperature in the room of about +21...+25 °C. If the apartment is cooler, many people cover the top and one side of the cage with an old blanket.

Cage requirements

Considering where and how mongooses live in the wild, it’s easy to guess that when kept at home they need a cage. The main requirement for it is large sizes. A cage with dimensions of 90x50x70 cm is considered an acceptable minimum. Although caring owners consider it more like a “temporary place” for a growing individual. The best option for an adult specimen would be one with dimensions of 1x1x2 m - this is definitely enough for a nimble pet that loves to stand on its hind legs. This is a lot, but do not forget that the cage will also have to be properly equipped.

Home improvement

The entire space is divided into two zones - for relaxation and entertainment. For sleeping, you need to allocate a house or, in extreme cases, a box securely attached to the rods (but the latter will not last long: the cardboard will become an easy prey).

Did you know?It is believed that the “chirping” of mongooses is similar to human speech during its formation.

There must be a branch running along and attached to the same twigs. It would be nice if a slightly smaller driftwood was placed below, on which the mongoose would sharpen its claws. By putting a couple of simple toys like a ball in the cage, you can be sure that your pet will not get bored in your absence.
Naturally, a bowl or drinking bowl - you can’t do without them. Even a large “dwelling” needs to be opened daily, allowing its occupant to walk around the house. During such a walk, someone must keep an eye on the antics of the restless animal (you cannot leave him alone in the apartment).

What do mongooses eat?

We already know what a mongoose living in the wild eats. Considering the inherent unpretentiousness of the species, you don’t have to worry about the diet of its domestic counterparts - they do not require special delicacies. On the other hand, you need to know what exactly to include in your diet.

Authorized Products

An omnivorous animal will gladly eat everything that is rich in carbohydrates and proteins. To replenish lost energy, the best options are:

• raw lean meat (chicken, beef);
• raw fish;
• offal;
• small;
• insects;
• snails;
• larvae like zoophobus;
• cottage cheese;
• raw (and only) eggs;
• nuts;
• vegetables and fruits, which it is advisable to cut into smaller pieces.

Important!Make sure there is a minimum of fat in the meat. As for fish, marine species are best suited (river fish are more likely to have worms).

As you can see, no special frills. But there is also an important point - products from this list need to be grouped. In other words, each of 2-3 meals per day should contain strictly the same type of delicacy: meat or offal, fruits or vegetables cannot be mixed in one go. The order in which they are served does not play a role (unlike balance, which requires equal amounts of protein and carbohydrate food going into the feed).

Prohibited Products

The principle, beloved by some, “you ate it yourself - and he will eat it” is of no use here: some products are very dangerous for animals. In the case of mongooses, the following were strictly prohibited:

• fried, smoked and salted foods;
• mayonnaise;
• ketchup;
• chips;
• sweets (especially chocolate and cream cakes).

Possible difficulties

Difficulties are caused mainly by the irrepressible nature of the pet. As you may have noticed, the need to keep an eye on him while walking around the apartment has already been mentioned here. These are not empty words, but a truly important detail of care.

Did you know?While observing wild animals, zoologists saw a lot of interesting things. For example, if the animal managed to win, then it is considered a purely personal “trophy” - with all its collectivism, other individuals from the group will not ask for even a piece.

Even a couple of minutes is enough for a nimble animal, once outside the cage, to cause damage - most often pots of flowers and objects standing on the edge of a table or windowsill suffer. Wiring and cables lying on the floor are especially dangerous: a curious animal can try them (which, if there is voltage, ends sadly). Even before opening the cage, make sure that the entrance doors are closed - it only takes a couple of seconds for the mongoose to sneak in there.
When leaving for work, be sure to close the cage and check whether the hook on the door is securely attached: a smart animal is quite capable of finding the slack and knocking it down, which can lead to damage to the furniture and everything that can be reached with its claws. In February-March, you should be careful: this is the breeding season, and the funny pet, obeying the call of nature, becomes aggressive.