Ichneumia albicauda
Afrikaans: witstertmuishond
German: Weißschwanzmanguste
French: mangouste de blanc-queue
They are one of the larger mongoose species of Southern Africa, attaining a length of just over 1.5 meters and may reach a weight of over 5 kg. The white tailed mongoose has long hair mongoose. Its legs are relatively long for a mongoose. The head is very long and narrow and tapers to a point. Their large, rounded ears are set low on the sides of the head. It has a yellow to tan coloration on its body, with long black guard hairs, giving it an overall grizzled grey appearance. The legs and arms are black from the elbow/knee down. The base of the large, bushy tail is brownish yellow, and is white on the latter half. The tail tapers to a point. They have a long tail, which may make up to 40% of the body length and as their name suggests, is white in colour. They lack hair on their upper lip and their hands from the palms to the wrists.
The white tailed mongoose is a nocturnal creature and is usually only active well after sunset. They will normally start foraging after about 20h30 and have been recorded being active till around 01h30, which is much later than any of the other small carnivores. During the day they will rest in old or disused antbear burrows and do not dig their own burrows.
The white tailed mongoose is solitary, and incidence of pairs or groups almost always involve mothers with young or consorting individuals. Detailed studies of home ranges have shown that males occupy an average home range of 0.97 sq. km, and females 0.64. Male home ranges do not overlap, but there is complete overlapping between opposite sexes. Some female ranges were exclusive, but other females share ranges with their offspring. All white-tailed mongooses forage alone. Individuals do not migrate except away from the territory of the parent.
The white-tailed mongoose is highly vocal and makes unusual sounds associated with sexual behavior that have been likened to a dog-like yap. It may defend itself by a noxious secretion from its anal scent glands. Locomotion in the white-tailed mongoose is usually a walk or trot similar to one of a dog, but with the head hung low and shoulders hung nearer to the ground than is the base of the tail . It does not stand on it hind feet like other mongooses.
Gender differences:
The sexes are similar.
Habitat:
The white tailed mongoose lives in most of Africa south of the Sahara, and the southern portion of the Arabian peninsula. They live in a wide range of habitats, from desert to savanna woodland, but seems to avoid moist areas like the Congo river basin. They prefer areas of thick cover.
Diet:
It feeds mainly on insects, but it has a diverse diet. The insects eaten include locusts, beetles, and mole crickets. It also consumes rats, mice, shrews, lizards, snakes, small birds (including chickens), berries, and fruits. When it is near human settlement, it is known to steal chickens. It is also known to eat the eggs of wild birds, breaking the shell by throwing the egg back between its hind legs against a hard object.
Reproduction:
Many details about the reproductive cycle of the white-tailed mongoose are not fully known, but some information exists. Females have four mammae. The length of the gestation period also is not known, but it is generally believed to be around 60 days. Litters are frequently seen between February to May, and no young appear during the dry season of August-November. Although litter size is uncertain, it is believed to be between 1-4. The young are thought to be born in burrows. Weaning occurs before nine months of age, at which time full independence is attained. The age of sexual maturity is not known, but it is generally thought to occur before 2 years of age.. Captive white-tailed mongooses can live 12 years
Other:
When the white tailed mongoose lives near a poultry-raiser, it can be a pest to humans.
An interesting observation has been reported when the white-tailed mongoose steals chickens. Apparently, the mongoose performs a 'dance' in front of a henhouse, attracting the attention of the chickens. When the chicken puts its head through thewire mesh to have a closer look at the dancing mongoose, its head is bitten off.
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