Slender mongoose
Herpestes sanguineus
Key identification features
A small slender mongoose with long body and short legs. It has a long slender tail with red to black tip. The colour can vary from a yellowish to reddish or greyish brown. HB 26-34 cm. Wt 350-800 g.
Habitat and social behaviour
Wide range of wooded habitats. Diurnal and territorial mongoose that lives in pairs or family groups. It is partly arboreal. It can climb like a squirrel, going down head first.
Similar species
The Egyptian mongoose also has a black tipped tail but is much larger.
Distribution Map
Photo gallery
