The Broad-striped Malagasy Mongoose is mostly terrestrial (lives on the ground), broad-striped mongooses have been observed climbing in trees, and on large, fallen logs. Broad-striped mongooses have nimble, low to the ground bodies. They are small to medium in size, comparable to American martens. They have short legs and long bushy tails. Their heads are long and slender. Broad-striped mongooses may be confused with the non-native carnivore Viverricula indica which has similar coloration. Broad-striped mongooses are found only in the eastern rainforests of Madagascar. These mongooses have been reported from the Mananara-Nord region in the north to the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale d'Andohahela in the south.

 

The species is known for its light brown, creamy colored hair. Individuals are marked with eight dark stripes running down the back. The stripes are narrower than the spaces in between the stripes. They originate at the base of the ears and follow the body to the base of the tail. This species of mongoose also have longer legs and larger feet than any of the other Malagasy mongooses. There is currently no published information that indicates that giant striped mongooses have differences between males and female. Males and females look the same, but a scent pouch is present in the females.

 

Juveniles appear to look much the same as adults as well, except for the difference in size. It has been thought that broad-striped mongooses feed largely on rodents, small lemurs, and even reptiles and amphibians. Also, it is suggested that they feed on invertebrates. Field studies of tropical forest carnivores may be difficult, because of their nocturnal, often solitary habits, and difficulty in luring them into traps.

 

Author: Breenea W

Published: 02/2009

 

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad-striped_Malagasy_Mongoose http://lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=148 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galidictis_grandidieri.html Photo

 

Photo Credit: http://www.terrambiente.org/fauna/Mammiferi/carnivora/herpestidae/images/Galidictis_grandidieri.jpg