The ruddy mongoose (Urva smithii) is a mongoose species native to hill forests in India and Sri Lanka.[1]

Ruddy mongoose
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Herpestidae
Genus: Urva
Species:
U. smithii
Binomial name
Urva smithii
(Gray, 1837)
Ruddy mongoose range
Synonyms

Herpestes smithii

Description

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The ruddy mongoose's fur is brownish and coarse, long in hindquarters, but short in other parts of the body. Its head to body length is 40–45 cm (16–18 in) with a 36 cm (14 in) long tail. Males are larger and heavier than females with a weight of 2.2 kg (4.9 lb); females weigh about 1.2 kg (2.6 lb). Tail constitute about 75–90 % of body length. It is distinguished by the Indian grey mongoose by its slightly larger size and jet black-tipped tail.[2]

Distribution and habitat

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A ruddy mongoose in Panna National Park
 
A ruddy mongoose in Yala National Park

The ruddy mongoose is mainly a forest-living animal and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded in secluded paddy fields and in comparatively open fields.[3]

Taxonomy

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Herpestes smithii was the scientific name proposed by John Edward Gray in 1837 for a zoological specimen in the collection of the British Museum Natural History.[4] All Asian mongooses are now thought to belong in the genus Urva.[5]

Subspecies:[6]

  • U. s. smithii
  • U. s. thysanurus
  • U. s. zeylanius

Ecology and Behavior

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It usually carries its black tipped tail tip curved upward which is visible from a distance. Like other mongooses, it hunts by day and by night,[3] and feeds on birds, rat snakes, land monitors, rodents and snails. Generally a solitary animal, rarely can be seen in pairs during mating season. However, mother and pup family groups consisting about five animals have been observed.[2]

It is found in thick jungles, forest edges near paddy fields and tea estates. However, withdraw quickly in a crevice or underneath a rock shelf during human confrontation. When cornered, they fight fearlessly with loud and shrill cries.[2]

In culture

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In Sri Lanka this animal is usually regarded as an unlikable animal and a pest. The golden palm civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis), altogether a different species endemic to Sri Lanka, is also called hotambuwa due to similar appearance and coloration.

References

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  1. ^ a b Mudappa, D. & Choudhury, A. (2016). "Herpestes smithii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41617A45208195.
  2. ^ a b c Yapa, A.; Ratnavira, G. (2013). Mammals of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. p. 1012. ISBN 978-955-8576-32-8.
  3. ^ a b Prater, S.H. (1971). The Book of Indian Animals (Third ed.). Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society. ISBN 019562169-7.
  4. ^ Gray, J. E. (1837). "Description of some or little known Mammalia, principally in the British Museum Collection". The Magazine of Natural History and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology and Meteorology. I (November): 577–587.
  5. ^ "ASM Mammal Diversity Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  6. ^ "Indian marsh mongoose Herpestes palustris Ghose". Archived from the original on 2003-09-08.
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