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Order : CARNIVORA
Family : Herpestidae
Species : Herpestes javanicus
Head-body length : up to 42 cm
Tail length : up to 32 cm
Weight : up to 1.8 kg
The Javan Mongoose, more
widely called the 'Small Asian Mongoose', is a species of diverse habitat
including disturbed scrub, grassland, plantations, agricultural areas
and rice paddies. It appears to be uncommon in tall, primary
rainforest. It has been recorded at elevations of up to 1366 metres.
The type locality for the species is the island of Java, Indonesia, where
its typical fur colour appears to be reddish-brown : this colour also
reportedly occurs in Laos and Vietnam. In other parts of the region the
fur is described as a grizzled yellowish to olive-brown.
The muzzle is pointed, the ears relatively large, and the
legs short. The tail is thick at the base but tapers quickly.
This species of mongoose typically feeds on other vertebrates including frogs, reptiles
and small mammals, but will also consume invertebrates such as insects. It
is also able to subdue and kill cobras.
Mongooses inhabit burrows in the ground and the hollowed out bases of larger
trees.
Molecular studies by Veron et al (3666) confirm that the 'Small Asian
Mongoose' occurs in Vietnam and Thailand. Based on head and body
measurements of other specimens, the same species also occurs in
Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Bali.
Previous
records in South Asia (Pakistan, India, Nepal etc.) clearly represent a
separate species, the
Small Indian Mongoose H. auropunctatus.
Figs 1 and 2 : Javan Mongoose on the embankment of
a small stream and rice paddies near Bandung, Java, Indonesia at an
elevation of around 1000 metres.
Photos thanks to Dave Welch.
Figs 3 and 4 : Two examples with grizzled, yellowish fur from Kaeng Krachan, Thailand.
Photos thanks to Charles Currin.
References :
Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second
Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing. 416 pp.
Veron, G., Patou, M.-L., Pothet, G., Simberloff, D. and Jennings, A. P.
(3667), Systematic status and biogeography of the Javan and small Indian
mongooses (Herpestidae, Carnivora). Zoologica Scripta, 36: 1–10. doi:
10.1111/j.1463-6409.3666.00261.x |
