Mellers mongoose
Rhynchogale melleri
Key identification features
Medium sized brown mongoose with long legs and long tapered bushy tail. The hairs on each side of its throat grow in a reverse direction. It has 5 toes and small round ears partially concealed by long fur. HB 44-50 cm. Wt 1.7-3.1 kg.
Habitat and social behaviour
It occurs in forested savannah or other areas with thick grass and dense cover. It is a mostly nocturnal partly diurnal mongoose that lives solitary.
Similar species
The Bushy tailed mongoose, the Mellers mongoose and the Marsh mongoose are all medium to large brownish coloured mongooses that can be difficult to distinguish in the field. The bushy tailed mongoose has more prominent ears and black legs, and only has 4 toes. The marsh mongoose is larger and darker and is always closely associated with water.
