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Species
Cynictis penicillata (G.[Baron] Cuvier, 1829)
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The yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), sometimes referred to as the red meerkat, is a member of the mongoose family averaging about 1 lb (1/2 kg) in weight and about 20 in (500 mm) in length.[2] It lives in open country, from semi-desert scrubland to grasslands in Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Contents
Taxonomy[edit]
Cynictis penicillata is the only member of its genus, but as many as twelve subspecies of yellow mongoose have been described. In general, the yellow mongoose has lighter highlights on the underbelly and chin, a bushy tail, and a complete lack of sexual dimorphism. Southern yellow mongooses are larger, have yellow or reddish fur, longer fur, and a longer tail 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.
Habits[edit]
The yellow mongoose is carnivorous, consuming mostly arthropods but also other small mammals, lizards, snakes and eggs of all kinds.
The yellow mongoose is primarily diurnal, though nocturnal activity has been observed. Living in colonies of up to 20 individuals in a permanent underground burrow complex, the yellow mongoose will often co-exist with Cape Ground Squirrels or suricates 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 its latrines.
Social structure[edit]
The social structure of the yellow mongoose is hierarchical, 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 visual marker of territory. Other members of the group mark their dens with cheek secretions. A colony can have 20-40 members.
Predators[edit]
Predators of the yellow mongoose are birds of prey, snakes and jackals. 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.
Mating season[edit]
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 the burrow system. Usually, two offspring are produced per pregnancy, and they are weaned at 10 weeks, reaching adult size after 10 months.
Rabies[edit]
There is some concern about the role of Cynictis penicillata as a natural reservoir of rabies. Most African wild animals will 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.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Taylor, P.J. & Hoffmann, M. (2008). "Cynictis penicillata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 29 August 2014. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 564. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Taylor PJ (December 1993). "A systematic and population genetic approach to the rabies problem in the yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata)". Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res. 60 (4): 379–87. PMID 7777324.
Further reading[edit]
- N.L. Avenant; J.A.J. Nel: "Comparison of the diet of the yellow mongoose in a coastal and a Karoo area" in South African Journal of Wildlife Research (1992), Volume: 22, p.89–93.
- O.A.E. Rasa; B.A. Wenhold; P. Howard; A. Marais: "Reproduction in the yellow mongoose revisited" in South African Journal of Zoology (1992), Vol. 27, No. 4, p.192.
- B.A. Wenhold; O.A.E. Rasa: "Territorial marking in the Yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata: sexual advertisement for subordinates?" in Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde (1994), Vol.59, No.3, p.129.
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Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yellow_mongoose&oldid=648821179 |
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.2 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.0 years.
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Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cynictis_penicillata/ |
Maximum longevity: 15.2 years (captivity)
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Joao Pedro de Magalhaes |
Source | http://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Cynictis_penicillata |
Many individuals of the yellow mongoose begin mating in the first week of July. Copulation lasts for about 30-60 seconds, during which the male makes a soft purring sound while the female bites or licks the male's ears and neck continuously (Taylor and Meester 1990). The gestation period varies between 42 and 57 days. The birth season is estimated to occur from August to November, possibly extending into January. The reproductive season might be more prolonged in northern specimens of the yellow mongoose (Taylor and Meester 1993). Young are born in clean chambers in the burrows which are devoid of bedding material. The mean litter size is 1.8 young per litter. Females have three pairs of abdominal mammae (Skinner and Smithers 1990).
Weaning takes place at about 10 weeks of age. It is not known if the male participates in the feeding and caring of the young. It is believed that males and females are not capable of reproducing until at least one year of age (Taylor and Meester 1993).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average gestation period: 56 days.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.
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Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cynictis_penicillata/ |
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cynictis_penicillata/ |
Red List Criteria
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Contributor/s
Justification
History
-
Least Concern (LC)
-
1996Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
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Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41597 |
Population
Population Trend
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Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41597 |
Major Threats
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Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41597 |
Conservation Actions
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Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41597 |
Yellow mongooses are regarded as the most important rabies vectors on the central plateau of South Africa (Penzhorn and Chaparro 1994). The geographical incidence of this disease corresponds closely with the distribution of the species. The prevalence of rabies in the yellow mongoose is attributed to their abundance in certain areas and their burrow-dwelling habit. Living in burrows brings individuals into close proximity, thereby increasing the chances of transmitting the virus. There is a high correlation between the seasonal incidence of rabies and the breeding cycle of the yellow mongoose (Taylor and Meester 1993). Many farmers feel that the yellow mongoose is a danger and a pest to themselves and their livestock. Many methods of extermination have been attempted to decrease the number of possible carriers. These methods included sealing and gassing burrows with cyanide gas, phospine, carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide followed by setting traps for possible survivors (Taylor and Meester 1993).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cynictis_penicillata/ |