Small Indian Mongoose

Herpestes javanicus

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Carnivora · Herpestidae

About

The small Indian mongoose is a mongoose species native to Iraq and northern India; it has also been introduced to several Caribbean and Pacific islands.

Fun Fact

Small Indian mongooses were introduced to Caribbean islands and Hawaii to control rats in sugarcane fields, but instead they devastated native bird and reptile populations — a textbook case of biocontrol gone wrong.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Scrublands and grasslands

Diet

Omnivore

Lifespan

4-7 years

Threats

Invasive Species
Overgrazing

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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