The most famous mongoose was Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a story about how a mongoose saved a boy's family.
The Indian mongoose is a small mammal with short legs and a long bushy tail. The tail measures about two-thirds the length of the body. Adult mongooses measure from head to tail 25 to 41 cm. Fully grown mongooses weigh between 60 and 1,200 g, and the adult male is slightly larger than the female. Indian grey mongooses are found from the Eastern Arabian peninsula to India.
Small Rodents
Indian mongoose are extremely fast, efficient hunters. In the mid-1800s, mongooses were transplanted to the Virgin and Hawaiian islands for the purpose of rodent control on sugar plantations. Unfortunately, mice and rats are nocturnal but Indian mongoose hunt in the day and are not known for nocturnal habits and thus have become more of a hindrance than a help.
Snakes
Indian mongoose are especially famous for their snake-killing abilities. Indian mongoose are fearless in hunting and killing snakes, even poisonous ones. Their thick coat and special neurotransmitters make mongooses immune to snake venom. In some countries, mongoose are domesticated to protect people against venomous snakes, such as vipers. The mongoose has even been known to hunt some animals to extinction. In the Virgin Islands, snakes once indigenous to the islands can no longer be found. Mongooses also hunt and eat reptiles and amphibians.
Birds
The Indian mongoose is agile and quick enough to catch and eat birds. This is another reason the Indian mongoose has become unwelcome in Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. As the population of mongoose grows the native animals have dwindled significantly.
Other Foods
The Indian mongoose is especially fond of bird, snake and reptile eggs. The Indian mongoose will also eat hatchlings and decimate poultry populations. This is the reason these animals are considered a nuisance when found near human populations. Plants, especially fruit serve as additions to the Indian mongoose diet. Fruit makes up just under half of a healthy mongooses diet, about 43 percent.
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