The Indian Grey Mongoose (Urva edwardsii) is a mongoose species found throughout the Indian subcontinent and much of West Asia.
The Indian Grey Mongoose can be found in open forests, scrublands and cultivated fields. It can also be found close to settled areas, where its rat hunting ability is appreciated. It lives in burrows, hedgerows and thickets, among groves of trees, and takes shelter under rocks or bushes. It is reputed to be bold and inquisitive but can also be rather wary, seldom venturing far from cover. It is an excellent climber and usually lives singly or in pairs. Its diet famously includes snakes, but they with also take rodents, birds' eggs and hatchlings, lizards and a range of invertebrates. Basically, if it is the correct size a mongoose will eat it.
These two animals (I never got a decent shot of both of them together) were moving along a river bank in the Ranthambore National Park. They were very fast moving, and if ever an animal could be said to flow along, it was this species.
The body of the Indian Grey Mongoose is about 36 to 45 cm long, and the tail is a similar length.
Given that their diet includes snakes, it is no surprise to find out that they are immune or at least resistant to snake venom.
Just like the Gray Langurs last week, tail maintenance seems to be an important aspect of this animals life!
Hope all is well. Cheers SM.
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