Ruddy mongoose
In this article, we are going to delve deeper into Ruddy mongoose and understand its importance in today's society. Ruddy mongoose has been a topic of great interest and debate in recent times, and it is essential to understand its impact on various aspects of daily life. From its influence on health and well-being, to its role in economics and politics, Ruddy mongoose plays a crucial role in the way we live and interact with the world around us. Through detailed analysis, we will explore the different facets of Ruddy mongoose and examine how it has evolved over time, as well as its possible implications for the future. This article seeks to shed light on Ruddy mongoose and provide a broader view of its relevance in modern society.
| Ruddy mongoose | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Herpestidae |
| Genus: | Urva |
| Species: | U. smithii
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| Binomial name | |
| Urva smithii (Gray, 1837)
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| Ruddy mongoose range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Herpestes smithii | |
The ruddy mongoose (Urva smithii) is a species of mongoose native to the forests of India and Sri Lanka. It is classified as least concern in the IUCN Red List.
Taxonomy
In 1837, British zoologist John Edward Gray proposed the scientific name Herpestes smithii for a zoological specimen in the collection of the British Natural History Museum.[3] Different species names were proposed by various biologists over the years for the ruddy mongooses. In 2009, the Asian mongooses were classified under a new genus, Urva.[4][5] Three different sub-species have been recognized: smithii, thysanurus, and zeylanius.[6]
Distribution and habitat
The ruddy mongoose is found in forests and shrub lands in India and Sri Lanka.[4][7][8] It is mainly a forest dweller and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded to forage in secluded paddy fields in the region.[9] It is classified as least concern in the IUCN Red List.[8]
Description
The ruddy mongoose is a large mongoose with a greyish-brown fur.[10] It has an average head to body length of 40–45 cm (16–18 in) and a 36 cm (14 in) long tail.[11] The long tail features a darker tasseled tip,[10] which is usually curved upward, and is visible from a distance.[9]
Ecology and behavior
The ruddy mongoose hunts during both day and night, and feeds on birds, rat snakes, land monitors, rodents and snails.[9] It is generally considered a solitary animal, though it has been recorded in monogamous pairs during the mating season. Family groups of up to five animals consisting of a mother and pups have been observed in the wild.[11] While they are generally found in thick jungles, and edges of the forests, they occasionally venture into paddy fields and tea estates. They quickly withdraw into a crevice or underneath a rock shelf on confrontation with humans. When they are cornered, they often show aggressive behaviour while making loud and shrill noises.[11]
References
- ^ Mudappa, D. & Choudhury, A. (2016). "Herpestes smithii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T41617A45208195.
- ^ "Herpestes smithii Gray, 1837". Species+. UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Gray, J. E. (1837). "Description of some or little known Mammalia, principally in the British Museum Collection". The Magazine of Natural History and Journal of Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology and Meteorology. I (November): 577–587.
- ^ a b "Urva smithii". Mammal Diversity. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Herpestes smithii". Animal Diversity. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Indian marsh mongoose Herpestes palustris Ghose". Archived from the original on 8 September 2003.
- ^ Nowak, Ronald M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World, Sixth Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 771. ISBN 978-0-801-85789-8.
- ^ a b "Urva smithii". IUCN. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Prater, S.H. (1971). The Book of Indian Animals (Third ed.). Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society. ISBN 978-0-195-62169-3.
- ^ a b Luke Hunter (2020). Field Guide to Carnivores of the World, 2nd Edition. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-472-98267-4.
- ^ a b c Yapa, A.; Ratnavira, G. (2013). Mammals of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. p. 1012. ISBN 978-955-8576-32-8.
External links
Data related to Herpestes smithii at Wikispecies
