| Meller's mongoose | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Herpestidae |
| Genus: | Rhynchogale Thomas, 1894 |
| Species: | R. melleri |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhynchogale melleri (Gray, 1865) | |
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| Meller's mongoose range (green - extant, pink - probably extant) | |
Meller's mongoose (Rhynchogale melleri) is a small brownmongoose native to savannas and woodlands of southeastern Africa. It is the only member of the genusRhynchogale.[2] The Meller's mongoose lives alone and is active at night, feeding on termites or other small insects and animals. While somewhat rare, it is adaptable and faces no serious threats. It is a member of the mongoose family (Herpestidae), a group of fox-like animals native to Asia, southern Europe, and Africa.
The scientific nameRhinogale melleri was proposed byJohn Edward Gray in 1865 for a grey-brown mongoosezoological specimen collected in East Africa.[3] It was placed in the genusRhynchogale byOldfield Thomas in 1894.[4]
Meller's mongoose is a medium to large-size mongoose with a light to dark brown body and a long tail. At close quarters the upper parts of Meller's mongoose are coarsely grizzled. The lower parts of the limbs are darker than the upper parts of the body. The under parts are generally lighter in colour than the upper parts. It measures about 80 cm (31 in) in length overall and weighs 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb). The tail is slightly less than half the overall length.[5] The tail is variable in colour and may be black, brown or white, although dark brown to black is the most usual. Meller's mongoose may be confused with the white-tailed mongoose; however, it is smaller and blacker overall than this species.[6]
Meller's mongoose ranges from centralTanzania south throughMalawi,Zambia,Zimbabwe andMozambique, toEswatini and northeasternSouth Africa.[1] It has been recorded up to an elevation of 1,850 m (6,070 ft) inTanzania.[7]It lives insavannas and is associated mainly with open woodland and grassland and marshy areas withtermitaria.[6] It lives inmiombo (Brachystegia) woodlands in Zambia,[8] Zimbabwe and Malawi[9] andmontanebamboo forests in Tanzania.[7] It appears to require dense cover throughout the year and is rarely seen in areas where fires are extensive and frequent.[6]
Meller's mongoose isnocturnal,solitary andterrestrial. They do not appear until well after sunset and continue to be active until about midnight.[9]
Meller's mongoose feeds mainly ontermites, particularly harvester termites (Hodotermes) and the largerMacrotermes. They also eatgrasshoppers, smallreptiles,centipedes,beetles andfrogs.[9]
They appear to breed at the beginning of thewet season (November to December). 2-3 young are born inburrows or rock crevices. Females have two pairs ofabdominalmammae.[9]
There are no major known threats to the species. Its favouredhabitat is extensive, and in some parts overlaps with very low human populations.[1] However, human expansion and domestic dogs could represent a significant threat in localised areas.[6] However, in parts of northernSouth Africa the species has been recorded in areas with high human and domestic dog disturbances.[6]
Listed asLeast Concern on theIUCN Red List, it is apparently uncommon to rare, but it may be easily overlooked or confused with other mongoose species.[1]
