- Ring-tailed Mongoose
Taxobox
name = Ring-tailed mongoose
status = VU
status_system = iucn2.3
image_width = 240px
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
ordo =Carnivora
familia =Eupleridae
subfamilia =Galidiinae
genus = "Galidia"
species = "G. elegans"
binomial = "Galidia elegans"
binomial_authority = Saint-Hilaire, 1837The Ring-tailed mongoose ("Galidia elegans") is an Euplerid that lives on the island of
Madagascar . There is actually much disagreement about the placement of Madagascar's carnivores including the Ring-tailed mongoose, within the phylogenetic tree. Recent molecular work by Anne Yoder et al (2003) reported in the journal "Nature" suggests that the Malagasy Carnivora evolved from a single herpestid (mongoose) ancestor.The Ring-tailed mongoose is relatively small but is the largest member of the Subfamily Galidiinae. It is usually 32 to 38 cm (12.5 to 15 in) long and weighs only 700 to 900 g (24 to 32 oz). Its body is long and slender, and the rounded head has a pointed snout. The body is a dark red color and the feet are black. As the name implies, its bushy tail is covered with black and red rings.
Ring-tailed mongooses are very agile, and good climbers. They are quite playful and are active during the day. Their habitat consists of humid forests.
Their diet is mostly of small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles and eggs, but they occasionally eat insects and fruit.The population of Ring-tailed mongooses has decreased by 20% over the past ten years due to habitat loss.fact|date = May 2007 Another problem is competition with the small Indian civet ("Vivericula indica").fact | date = May 2007
External links
*Animal Diversity Web [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galidia_elegans.html Ring-tailed mongoose]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
