The vast majority of Russia called "civet" nothing said. Another thing, if you say "mongoose". Although these animals are not indigenous to our country, many from childhood sign fearless winner snakes Rikki-Tikki-Tavi story of British writer Rudyard Kipling. After all, it was none other than the Indian mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi). This - the most famous representative of the ancient and widespread (about 80 species) of the family Viverridae (Viverridae).
How did these animals look like? Many types of physique like martens: long, muscular body and tail, a small elongated head. Wool them thick and fluffy, usually spotted or striped color, less monochromatic. But there are exceptions. So living on Madagascar Foss recalled cat. Incidentally, on this island Civet - the only predators. There is a beast, which even called dwarf bear or bear marten: a - Binturong (Arctictis bin-turong) from India and Southeast Asia.
He is black, with gray hair, rounded ears ... He would really like a bear, if not ... grasping, prehensile tail, almost equal to the length of the metronome body. Sleeping in a tree encircled by a beast of a branch, protecting yourself from falls, and when coming down from the tree with his head down - clinging to the tail of the branches.
But the Egyptian mongoose, or ihnevmomona (Herpesies ichneumon), for his appearance was called Pharaoh's rat, but rather be called animal fighter rats. Ichneumon and common genet (Geneiia genetta) original inhabitants of North Africa, and penetrated to Europe (to the south of France and Spain), whereas all other members of the family live in South Asia and Africa (in America and Australia Viverridae not).
Civet is mainly terrestrial animals, though perfectly able to climb trees, and some - such as water civet (Osbornit) from the banks of the River Congo - have mastered the semi-aquatic life (such as otters) and fish diet. Other species prefer to eat small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, who are sought in the forests, thickets of shrubs and high ladders. In the hunt for rats, mice and other rodents Civet become real virtuosos. For example, small mongoose (H. auropunctatus) brought to the West Indies, the Hawaiian Islands and Vanuatu for the rodent control. However, soon mongoose so badly bred that they found themselves in these places pests. Snakes mongoose cope as dashing. And no immunity to snake venom, they do not have - saved only by skill and lightning-quick reactions.
Many Civet live singly and in pairs, but the mongooses - social animals, keep groups of up to 20 individuals. They communicate with each other piercing squeals and animals with olfactory label - highlighted the special gland under the tail animal. Life Groups streamlined subject to a hierarchy, but the most striking mutual help these animals. So well-known researcher of the African fauna Bernhard Grzimek described a case where a flock of striped mongoose (Mungos mungo) in a loud made eagle kidnapped brother, let go of its prey.
Met the enemy, mongoose takes a defensive posture: back - arched, hair on end, tail-pipe. And if the enemy is not afraid to be a rapid attack. At striped mongoose there is another way of deterrence - gallop on the spot "
Arching his back, a creature turns up then throws up his rear, then front legs. It seems that the mongoose at full speed rushes on the enemy, but actually remains in place. However, mongooses are usually not malicious and easily tamed.
more about exotic animals read at: exotic animals
