Marsh mongoose

Marsh mongoose

The marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), also called the water mongoose, is a medium-sized mongoose. It lives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Unlike other mongooses, it likes to stay near freshwater wetlands. This gives it a special way of life.

This clever animal is good at swimming. It can close its ears to keep water out while hunting. You often see it near rivers, lakes, and marshes.

Since 2008, scientists have listed the marsh mongoose as a Least-concern species on the IUCN Red List. This means its population is healthy and safe. Living in wet places helps protect it.

Taxonomy

The name Atilax was first used in 1826 by a scientist named Frédéric Cuvier. Later, in 1829, another scientist, Georges Cuvier, described a mongoose from the marshes of the Cape Province using the scientific name Herpestes paludinosus. Today, this animal is the only living member of the genus Atilax. There was also an ancient species called Atilax mesotes, but it no longer exists.

Characteristics

The marsh mongoose has fur that is dark reddish brown to black, with white and fawn-colored guard hairs. It has a short muzzle, a fawn-colored mouth, short whiskers, and a naked rhinarium. It has 36 teeth, short round ears, and two nipples. The mongoose's feet have five flexible digits with curved claws, but no webbing.

Females measure about 48.72 cm from head to body, and males about 51.38 cm, with tails between 32.18 cm and 34.11 cm long. Adults weigh between 2.56 kg and 2.95 kg. Both males and females have special glands that produce a musky-smelling secretion. Female marsh mongooses have 36 chromosomes, while males have 35.

Distribution and habitat

The marsh mongoose lives in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and The Gambia to Ethiopia. It likes places with fresh water, such as wetlands, marshes, and swamps near slow rivers and streams. You can find it in forests, jungles, and savanna areas. It also lives in special coastal spots like river deltas, estuarine, and brackish-water habitats.

People may have taken the marsh mongoose to Pemba Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. Scientists have seen it in Guinea’s National Park of Upper Niger and in forested areas of Gabon’s Moukalaba-Doudou National Park. In Ethiopia, it has been spotted in the Bale Mountains National Park, at an elevation of 3,950 metres, or about 12,960 feet.

Behaviour and ecology

The marsh mongoose is usually alone. It is a great swimmer and can stay underwater for up to 15 seconds. On land, it walks slowly but can run quickly when needed. These animals are mostly active around sunrise and sunset.

When hunting for food, the marsh mongoose swims or walks toward its prey in the water. It keeps its head above water while searching. Once it finds something to eat, it grabs it with its mouth and brings it to land to eat. They eat many kinds of animals, such as small rodents, frogs, fish, and insects, as well as some plants. After eating, they clean their mouths with their front paws. They often leave their waste in special spots away from the water.

Threats

In 2006, about 950 marsh mongooses were hunted each year in a part of Cameroon called the Cross–Sanaga–Bioko coastal forests.