MarkWildDogVirtual Ranger
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:33 am
Posts: 950
Selous' Mongoose
Paracynictis Selousi
An extremely elusive mongoose, only active at night and only falling prey to large owls. This species is carnivorous mainly feeding on invertebrates such as termites, beetles and grasshoppers. However they also take rodents and small reptiles, bird eggs and very rarely birds. These mongoose do not rely on water and occur in habitats which include open scrubland favouring mopane. Only a handful of sightings have been recorded in the Shingwedzi area. Forget Duke and roan antelope this is the sighting of all sightings! These mongoose can easily be confused with the more common whitetailed mongoose but only a small section of this mongoose's tail is white. The are generally a grey tawny colour, with a redish tint in the flank, thigh and chest areas. Where feet are a darkish black or brown colour. The ears are easily noticeable being wide apart and distinctly rounded, the bushy tail and pointed muzzle are other features. They walk in a sort of shady style keep everything held low and straight. One of the reasons why it probably isnt ever seen is because of its brilliant sense abilites. There is barely any info or pictures on this creature. They are said to breed in summer, having about one to four cubs. Not only are they elusive but they are also solitary! Much like a needle in a haystack.
Selous' mostly egg their own burrows in soft sand but also takeover abandoned burrows, mostly those of porcupine. The burrows oats under dense bush or at termite hill bases, burrows tend to have two entrances. Like most carnivores, home ranges are indicated with urine and dung middens. Their mass ranges between 1,3 and 2,2 kg and life span around 11 or 12 years.
I dont know about everyone else, but this really fascinates me! A ghost species?
Paracynictis Selousi
An extremely elusive mongoose, only active at night and only falling prey to large owls. This species is carnivorous mainly feeding on invertebrates such as termites, beetles and grasshoppers. However they also take rodents and small reptiles, bird eggs and very rarely birds. These mongoose do not rely on water and occur in habitats which include open scrubland favouring mopane. Only a handful of sightings have been recorded in the Shingwedzi area. Forget Duke and roan antelope this is the sighting of all sightings! These mongoose can easily be confused with the more common whitetailed mongoose but only a small section of this mongoose's tail is white. The are generally a grey tawny colour, with a redish tint in the flank, thigh and chest areas. Where feet are a darkish black or brown colour. The ears are easily noticeable being wide apart and distinctly rounded, the bushy tail and pointed muzzle are other features. They walk in a sort of shady style keep everything held low and straight. One of the reasons why it probably isnt ever seen is because of its brilliant sense abilites. There is barely any info or pictures on this creature. They are said to breed in summer, having about one to four cubs. Not only are they elusive but they are also solitary! Much like a needle in a haystack.
Selous' mostly egg their own burrows in soft sand but also takeover abandoned burrows, mostly those of porcupine. The burrows oats under dense bush or at termite hill bases, burrows tend to have two entrances. Like most carnivores, home ranges are indicated with urine and dung middens. Their mass ranges between 1,3 and 2,2 kg and life span around 11 or 12 years. I dont know about everyone else, but this really fascinates me! A ghost species?
