RUDDY MONGOOSE

                           STATUS

IUCN                      :  LRIC

CAMP                    :  LRIC 

CITES                    :  Appendices III 

Schedule              :  Il (Part II) 

Population          :  Not known 

Activity                 :  Diurnal 

Social Group       :  Solitary or in pairs

👉Local name   :  Soneri noliyo

👉Physical measurements & life cycle : 👇

Length                 :   85 cm (tail length : 40 cm) 

Weight                 :  1 - 1.9 kg

Gestation             :   Nearly 60 days. 

Litter size           :  3 - 4 

Life span            :  9 - 10 years

Breeding            :  No definite season

👉Description  :  Ruddy mongoose is of the size of the common mongoose. However, it differs by its tail which has black tip. Whitish red and dark brown dots on light brownish grey body. 

👉Food  :  It consumes rats, snakes, frogs and bird eggs. 

👉Distribution   :   It is distributed all over the state.

👉Habitat   :   It dwells in forested areas, dense scrublands , woodlands etc. 

👉Behaviour   :  Almost similar to that of Common mongoose. However, it kills more than its actual need.

👉There are two races of this species (i.e. Ruddy mongoose), one living in India and the other one in Sri Lanka. Though the mongoose can take vegetable matters as food, it favours meat. Unlike civets and cats that hunt by stealth, the mongooses kill the prey by attacking on it openly. Apart from small mammals and birds, ruddy mongoose also preys upon giant snails and for this purpose it breaks protective shell of the snail by knocking it against hard stones/rocks.