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Mammals of Eastern Asia 
%-ifj?^ * 
Fig. 45. Javan Mongoose, Herpestes javanicus. 
up to 7 feet in length. It would devour them head first, stopping 
only when gorged. This Mongoose would then lie motionless on 
its back for several hours, finally resuming its meal. It was an 
expert rat-catcher. 
The Short-tailed or Water Mongoose, Herpestes brachy- 
urus, is grizzled with white and grayish; the underparts are 
brown, ticked here and there with white. There are faint marks 
on the sides of the neck. The length of the head and body is 
