Sokoke dog mongoose
Bdeogale omnivora
Key identification features
A small pale creamy coloured mongoose with dark legs and dark tail. It has round ears and a blunt muzzle. All mongooses from the genus Bdeogale have only four toes that are short and sturdy. HB 34-45 cm. Wt 0.7- 1.6 kg.
Habitat and social behaviour
It occurs in forest, savannah and partly cultivated areas. It is nocturnal and solitary or lives in temporarily formed family groups.
Similar species
Jacksons mongoose and white tailed mongoose usually have white tails and are both larger than the Sokoke dog mongoose. The white tailed mongoose has 5 toes, not 4 like the dog mongooses.