Marsh Mongoose (Water Mongoose)

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Super Mongoose
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Marsh Mongoose (Water Mongoose)

Post by Super Mongoose »

Marsh Mongoose – Atilax Paludinosus (Water Mongoose, Watermuishond)

Image
Picture: http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/mam ... inosus.htm

Image
Picture: http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/mam ... inosus.htm

Info: The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa, Burger Chillè, Briza publishers.

Description:
A rather large mongoose. The colour of the body varies from almost black to rust-brown and sometimes speckled. The colour of the underparts, the head and the face is the same as the rest of the body, while the legs are darker and the chin and cheeks might be lighter. The hair is long, especially the tail. The head is large and broad and the small ears lie flat. The Marsh Mongoose differs from the White-tailed Mongoose which is larger, darker in colour and has a white tail.

Sexual dimorphism:
None

Food:
Frogs, spur-toed frogs, mice, swamp rates, fish and insects.

Habitat:
Always near rivers, streams, marshes, swamps, dams and estuaries.

Distribution Africa:
Image

Habits:
A solitary animal except when the females are young, which then follow her. It is active from dawn till mid-morning and again in the late afternoon till dusk. It is active for a longer period on overcast days, sleeps in thick shelter and prefers footpaths or the muddy banks of streams or dams when foraging. It is an excellent swimmer, sometimes taking to water when alarmed.

Voice:
Growl and a high-pitched explosive bark.

Breeding:
2 to 3 young are born from August to December.

Enemies:
Lion, serval, python, African hawk eagle

Info: The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa, Burger Chillè, Briza publishers.
Last edited by Super Mongoose on Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.


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Flutterby
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Re: Mongoose - Animal of the Month: March 2014

Post by Flutterby »

Great info...tx SM. \O


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nan
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Re: Mongoose - Animal of the Month: March 2014

Post by nan »

info and pictures O/\ ^Q^


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Mel
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Re: Mongoose - Animal of the Month: March 2014

Post by Mel »

Anybody seen that for real already? :shock:


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Re: Mongoose - Animal of the Month: March 2014

Post by Richprins »

Saw one at Hans Merensky on a walk as a schoolchild. Then a hotly debated possible/probable on the dirt road between Babalala and Shing. a few years ago...

the TR is still on SPf, I think?

I don't know if they are that scarce, rather very nocturnal and skittish?

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Mel
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Re: Mongoose - Animal of the Month: March 2014

Post by Mel »

Nocturnal and skittish = rare for the eyes. 0*\


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Swamp/Water Mongoose

Post by BluTuna »

Swamp/Water Mongoose at Austin Roberts Memorial Bird Sanctuary in Pretoria.

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