CLASSIFICATION OF MANGOOSE : HERPESTES
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present)
Group :- CRANIATA (Definite head. Cranium with brain present)
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA (vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA (Jaws and paired appendages present)
Super class :- TETRAPODA (Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin).
Class :-MAMMALIA (Body covered with hairs. females have mammary glands).
Sub-class :- THERIA (Viviparous).
Infra class :- EUTHERIA (Placental mammals, vagina single).
Order :- CARNIVORA (Carnivorous).
Genus : Herpestes
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
- Abundantly found in Asian and African countries. Mongoose, any of nearly three dozen species of small bold predatory carnivores found mainly in Africa but also in southern Asia and southern Europe.
HABIT AND HABITAT
- It is a burrowing mammal. It is nocturnal and feeds on small mammals, reptiles, birds and eggs. Mongooses live in burrows and feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, eggs, and occasionally fruit. A number of mongooses, especially those of the genus Herpestes, will attack and kill venomous snakes. They depend on speed and agility, darting at the head of the snake and cracking the skull with a powerful bite. Mongooses are bitten occasionally; however, they possess a glycoprotein that binds to proteins in snake venom, deactivating them and making them harmless.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF MANGOOSE : HERPESTES
- Commonly called as mongoose in English and Neola in Hindi.
- It is a small and highly modified carnivore.
- Entire body is covered with greyish fur.
- Body divided into head, neck, trunk, chest, abdomen and tail.
- It has long skull, small brain and short legs.
- Head contains small snout, ears, small eyes, and nose.
- Tail is elongated and bushy.
- Mongooses are short-legged animals with pointed noses, small ears, and long furry tails.
- Forelimbs and hind limbs have 5 digits with fussorial claws.
- Teeth thecodont and heterodont with well-developed canines.
- The meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is also a member of the mongoose family.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The fight between mongoose and snake is famous but ultimately the mongoose wins and kills the snake. Mongooses are noted for their audacious attacks on highly venomous snakes such as king cobras.
IDENTIFICATION
This mammal has greyish furs and above features, hence it is Mangoose or Herpestes.
References
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/mongoose
- https://pixabay.com/images/search/mongoose/
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
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