Given the number of boring and/or pointless threads we've been seeing lately, I decided to make another nature thread about cute furry things to entertain you.
Marsh Mongoose (
Atilax paludinosus)
The marsh mongoose lives in Africa south of the Sahara desert. It is a primarily aquatic animal, and has a very omniverous diet. It is an excellent swimmer, and when it wants to hide, it submerges, leaving only the tip of it's nose above water for breathing. It has been observed smashing snails, crabs, and eggs against rocks from a standing position. They are highly territorial, and will sometimes do a handstand to rub their anal glands against raised objects to mark their territory. They will also growl and bark if threatened. If a marsh mongoose wants to catch a bird, it lies on it's back as if it were sunbathing and shows it's pale, pink anal area, which has a striking contrast to it's dark fur. This induces birds to approach and try to peck at it's anus, upon which the mongoose kills the birds and eats them. If it is cornered or upset, it ejects jets of foul brown fluid from it's anal sacs. It is also partial to fruit. They are usually solitary.
Yellow Mongoose (
Cynictis penicillata) checking out his surroundings.
Another yellow mongoose.
Yellow mongoose snarling.
The yellow mongoose lives in southern Africa, and it prefers dry open country. They live in colonies of 8-20 individuals in complex, permanent underground structures which are often shared with ground squirrels and suricates, and have special locations within the burrows for defecation. At any sign of danger, an alarm is sounded and the entire colony retreats into the burrows. They are usually quiet, but will growl if threatened, scream during fights, and purr. They are able to attack and eat poisonous snakes and scorpions. Like dogs, it is thought that the tail may play a role in communication, and they also have a hierachy structure within their groups. They cannot see distances well, so they move their heads from side to side to judge it.
More later.
Jeanette X 
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