Mammal 2

This is the Indian mongoose. They are fast moving small animals. The Indian mongoose has a Hawaiian name called 'Iole manakuke' It is not easy to take a picture of this animal because it is to fast to take a picture. They hardly spend time in the open. A Male mongoose can offspring 4 months after birth.A female produces a normal litter of 2-5pups a year.Mongoose carry leptospirosis in their droppings. The Indian gray mongoose is typically between 14 and 17 inches in length. The tail length of the mongoose is usually about the length of the body, about 17 inches. Its long tail length allows for the mongoose to be a very apt climber because of its added ability to balance.  Mongooses have long bodies, short legs and small rounded ears placed on the side of the head. The species weighs between 2 and 4 pounds. The females are significantly smaller than the males. Their coloring is typically a tawny grayish brown color with their underside being lighter than their upper body. Indian gray mongoose typically lives about 12 years in captivity. T
he Indian gray mongoose has a varied diet consisting of rats, mice, other rodents, small birds, bird's eggs, invertebrates and lizards. They are also known to kill snakes including cobras which requires a great deal of speed and agility. The species typically reaches sexual maturity between 6 to 9 months of age and soon after, begins to mate. These mamals do not have a specific mating season which makes these mammals very unique, the mongoose breeds all year long with a gestation period of approximately 60 to 65 days. The litter of the mongoose ranges in size but usually consists of about 2 to 5 babies.