Mongooses

38 species

Mongooses are small terrestrial carnivorous mammals native to southern Europe, Africa, and Asia. They have long faces and bodies, small, rounded ears, short legs, and long, tapering tails. Most are brindled or grizzly, a few have strongly marked coats that bear a striking resemblance to mustelids. Their nonretractile claws are used primarily for digging. Mongooses, much like goats, have narrow, ovular pupils. Most species have a large anal scent gland, used for territorial marking and signaling reproductive status. These animals mostly feed on insects, crabs, earthworms, lizards, birds, and rodents. However, they also eat eggs and carrion. Some species can even learn simple tricks. They can be semi-domesticated and are kept as pets to control vermin.
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Mongooses are small terrestrial carnivorous mammals native to southern Europe, Africa, and Asia. They have long faces and bodies, small, rounded ears, short legs, and long, tapering tails. Most are brindled or grizzly, a few have strongly marked coats that bear a striking resemblance to mustelids. Their nonretractile claws are used primarily for digging. Mongooses, much like goats, have narrow, ovular pupils. Most species have a large anal scent gland, used for territorial marking and signaling reproductive status. These animals mostly feed on insects, crabs, earthworms, lizards, birds, and rodents. However, they also eat eggs and carrion. Some species can even learn simple tricks. They can be semi-domesticated and are kept as pets to control vermin.
show less