Marsh mongoose

Marsh mongoose

Order : Carnivora
Family : Herpestidae
Subfamily : Herpestinae
Species : Atilax paludinosus

The Marsh mongoose, water mongoose is listed as Least Concern (LR/lc), lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Facts about the marsh mongoose

Civet and porcupine have continued to show up at regular intervals and sightings of genet, thick tailed and lesser bush baby, white-tailed and marsh mongooses are frequently recorded. (Full text)

The Marsh Mongoose is widely distributed over all the better-watered parts of Africa. (Full text)

The marsh mongoose is very rare and the three most likely to be seen are the dwarf, banded and slender or black-tipped. (Full text)

The suricate, Suricata suricatta, of southern Africa, however, lives in colonies; the African marsh mongoose, Atilax paludinosus, is semiaquatic; and the little-known Madagascan mongoose, Galidia, can be found in trees. (Full text)

Range and Habitat The marsh mongoose is largely distributed throughout Africa south of the Sahara desert. (Full text)

According to Kingdon (1989), the marsh mongoose is the nearest ecological competitor of the clawless otter, although it forages mostly in marshes and on the riverbank whereas the otter forages in deep water. (Full text)

The shaggy-coated marsh mongoose is not uncommon in suitable habitat alongside rivers and swamps, where it feeds on crabs and molluscs. (Full text)