Common slender mongoose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common slender mongoose |
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| Common slender mongoose in Serengeti National Park | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Herpestes
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| Species: |
sanguineus
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| Slender mongoose range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Galerella sanguinea |
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The common slender mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus) is a super common type of mongoose found in sub-Saharan Africa. People also call it the black-tipped mongoose or the black-tailed mongoose because of its tail.
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About the Slender Mongoose
As its name suggests, this mongoose has a slim body. It's usually about 27.5 to 40 centimeters long, and its tail adds another 23 to 33 centimeters! Male mongooses are a bit heavier, weighing around 640 to 715 grams. Females are smaller, weighing 460 to 575 grams.
Their fur color can be very different depending on where they live. It can be dark reddish-brown, orange-red, grey, or even golden yellow. But you can always tell them apart by the black or red tip on their tails. They also have softer, silkier fur compared to other African mongooses.
Where They Live
You can find the common slender mongoose all over sub-Saharan Africa. They especially like open grasslands called savannahs and dry plains. They don't usually live in thick forests or very dry deserts.
How They Live
Common slender mongooses usually live alone or sometimes in pairs. They are mostly active during the day. But if it's a warm night with a bright moon, they might be out and about too! They don't seem to protect a specific area as their own. However, they do stick to certain home ranges. Sometimes, they even share these areas with other mongoose types. Since most of their relatives are active at night, they can even share dens! They can make their homes in rocky cracks, hollow logs, or any other safe, sheltered spot.
Family Life
A male mongoose's home range often overlaps with several females' ranges. He knows when a female is ready to have babies by her scent. It's thought that the mother carries her babies for about 60 to 70 days. Most of the time, one to three young are born. The male mongoose doesn't help raise the babies. It's interesting that in the Kalahari Desert, male mongooses tend to stay near where they were born, while females move away.
What They Eat
The common slender mongoose mainly eats meat. But they are also "opportunistic omnivores," meaning they'll eat whatever food they can find! Most of their diet is made up of insects. But they also enjoy lizards, small rodents, snakes, birds, frogs, and sometimes even fruit. They will also eat dead animals (called carrion) and eggs.
Like other mongooses, they can kill and eat venomous snakes. But snakes aren't a big part of their everyday meals. These mongooses are better at climbing trees than other mongooses. They often hunt birds in trees, like sparrow weavers and starlings.
What they eat can change with the seasons. During wet months, they might eat more insects. In dry months, they might hunt for bigger prey. This ability to adapt helps the slender mongoose survive when its habitat changes.
Keeping Them Safe
In the past, people tried to get rid of common slender mongooses. This was because they could carry rabies (a serious disease) and sometimes killed farm chickens. These efforts didn't work very well. While some types of slender mongooses might be at risk, the species as a whole is not in danger of disappearing. That's why the IUCN Red List says they are of least concern.
