Large Grey Mongoose

[Duke]

Large Grey Mongoose seen at Giants castle

[Mel]

Last one is not as common, but the dwarfs definitely have a higher cute factor.

[nan]

great Duke... never seen

[Flutterby]

Great pics Duke!

[Super Mongoose]

Large Grey Mongoose – Herpestes Ichneumon (Egyptian Mongoose)


Picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_mongoose


Picture: Trevor Hardaker ©, Arabella Golf Estate, South Africa http://www.hardaker.co.za/0largegreymongoose1.htm


Information from: Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa, Chris Stuart


Description:
This is a very large mongoose and adults weight in between 2,5-4 kg. Total length from 100-110cm, the tail alone between 45-58cm. The body-hair is long grey-grizzled and becoming shorts towards the tail and the tail-tip and lower legs are black.

Sexual dimorphism:
None

Food:
Small rodents is on the main menu, but it also eats other small mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians and a wide range of invertebrates, as well as wild fruits. It is also known that the Large Grey Mongooses eat snakes, including fairly large puff-adders.

Habitat:
The Large Grey Mongoose lives in riven vegetation and around lakes, dams and marches, but when foraging it may wander several kilometers from its usual habitat.

Distribution Southern Africa:
The large Grey Mongoose occurs in a narrow belt along the southern coast from close to Cape Town, then northwards into KZN. Fairly widely distributed in the eastern areas of southern Africa and marginally in the far north.



Habits:
Mainly diurnal, although nocturnal activity has been recorded. It is usually seen solitarily or in pairs, but family parties are not uncommon. Droppings are deposited at regular latrine sites and it also marks objects within its home range with anal gland secretions.

Voice:
Unknown

Breeding:
Young are born in the summer months. 2 – 4 pups are born after a gestation period of about 75 days.

Enemies:
Leopard, lion, python and large raptors.

[nan]

well done, a very nice specie

[PRWIN]

Saw a large grey mongoose this afternoon south of Sasol plant in Secunda. First time I saw this type of mongoose and very sad that it was a roadkill

[PRWIN]

Saw a large grey mongoose this afternoon south of Sasol plant in Secunda. First time I saw this type of mongoose and very sad that it was a roadkill


Want to add that this area has the densest population of serval in South Africa and the large grey mongoose must be in competition with them.

[PRWIN]

Okay found that research was done on the large grey mongoose in the Sasol Petroleum plant secondary area. So besides the servals they also found the grey mongoose in the area that is very scarce in Southern Africa.

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... Africa#pf2

[Richprins]

Interesting! Good they are around!