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| Yellow mongoose | |
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| An adult yellow mongoose inEtosha | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Herpestidae |
| Genus: | Cynictis Ogilby, 1833 |
| Species: | C. penicillata |
| Binomial name | |
| Cynictis penicillata (Cuvier, 1829) | |
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| Yellow mongoose range | |
Theyellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), sometimes referred to as thered meerkat, is a member of themongoose family. It averages about 0.45 kg (1 lb) in weight and about 510 mm (20 in) in length. It lives in open country,semi-desertscrubland andgrasslands inAngola,Botswana,South Africa,Namibia, andZimbabwe. It is theonly species in thegenusCynictis.
Herpestes penicillatus was thescientific name proposed byGeorges Cuvier in 1829 for a mongoose specimen from the Cape.[2]The generic nameCynictis was proposed byWilliam Ogilby in 1833 for a specimen collected inKaffraria.[3]
The yellow mongoose is theonly member of thegenusCynictis; 12subspecies have been described, but their status is unclear.[4] At least four subspecies have been recognised:[5]
In general, the yellow mongoose has lighter highlights on the underbelly and chin, a bushy tail, and a complete lack ofsexual dimorphism. Southern yellow mongooses are larger, have yellow or reddish fur, longer fur, and a longertail with a characteristic white tip. Northern subspecies tend towards smaller size, grey colouration, a grey or darker grey tip to the tail, and shorter hair more appropriate to the hotter climate.
The yellow mongoose is primarilydiurnal, thoughnocturnal activity has been observed. Living in colonies of up to 20 individuals in a permanentburrow complex, the yellow mongoose will often co-exist withCape ground squirrels orsuricates and share maintenance of the warren, adding new tunnels and burrows as necessary. The tunnel system has many entrances, nearby which the yellow mongoose makes itslatrines.
The yellow mongoose is acarnivore, feeding mostly onbeetles,termites,grasshoppers,crickets,caterpillars, andants, but also onrodents, smallbirds,reptiles,amphibians,carrion,eggs,grass, andseeds.[6] In urban environments in South Africa, it also forages among human food garbage.[7]
Thesocial structure of the yellow mongoose ishierarchical, based around a central breeding pair and their most recent offspring. There are also subadults, the elderly, or adult relatives of the central pair. Male ranges tend to overlap, while females from other dens have contiguous non-overlapping ranges. Every day, the alpha male will mark members of his group with anal gland secretions, and his boundaries with facial and anal secretions, as well as urine. The alpha male also rubs his back against raised objects, leaving behind hair as a visualmarker of territory. Other members of the group mark their dens with cheek secretions. A colony can have 20-40 members.
Predators of the yellow mongoose arebirds of prey,snakes andjackals. When frightened, the yellow mongoose will growl and secrete from its anal glands. It can also scream, bark, and purr, though these are exceptions, as the yellow mongoose is usually silent, and communicates mood and status through tail movements.
The yellow mongoose's mating season is between July and September, and it gives birth underground between October and December, with no bedding material, in a clean chamber of theburrow system. Usually, two offspring are produced per pregnancy, and they areweaned at 10 weeks, reaching adult size after 10 months.
There is some concern about the yellow mongoose's role as anatural reservoir ofrabies. Most African wild animals die within several weeks of infection with rabies, but it seems that certain genetic strains of the yellow mongoose can carry it asymptomatically, but infectiously, for years.[8]
