﻿10 ARKIV FÖR ZOOLOGI. BAND 4. N:0 16. 



The teeth of the new species are much smaller than 

 those of C. jasciatus and even smaller than those of C zebra 

 in which latter according to Thomas 'pm'^ is from 6,5 to 6,9 

 and m^ from 4,5 to 5,i mm. 



On the whole it can be said that the Barided Mongoose 

 described here in some respects resembles Crossarchus zebra 

 (regarding dimensions) in others is similar to C. jasciatus (in 

 its colouration). It can thus hardly be put as a subspecies 

 under either but as an independent species. With the other 

 banded species it has less affinity. 



Concerning the habits of the »Ntoto» Mr. Laman has 

 kindly communicated the following notes. »It is a well- 

 known and interesting animal. Caught as young it is easily 

 tamed and becomes then a nice pet. It is very playful and 

 runs af ter the boys biting them in their heels and so on. 

 It is rather affectionate and likes to sit in the lap and to 

 be petted etc. With regard to its disposition the tame 

 »Ntoto» is more like a dog than a cat, but it has a temper 

 of its own and is stubborn and sometimes it is difficult to 

 make it obey. In a tame state it is not afraid for anything 

 but dögs and is always on its watch in every direction, but 

 at the same time verv böld. As a rule the tame »Ntoto» 

 is, however, not allowed to live long because it cannot keep 

 from doing mischief by killing small domestic animals. My 

 »Ntoto» killed one day 8 young rabbits for me and tore out 

 their eyes. In a similar way »Ntoto» of ten kills chickens. It is 

 very quick in catching small animals and insects. It appears to 

 be very fond of crickets for it scents in all holes and scratches 

 away the earth till it gets hold of them. Termites, ants and 

 similar insects it likes as well and eats them with delight.^ 

 In a wild state it is most often found on the cassava fields. 

 The natives say that it eats the cassava-roots which might 

 be possible (?) but it is in the first rank crickets, grasshop- 

 pers etc. that it hunts there. (As tame it is rather omni- 

 vorous.) Sometimes »Ntoto is found in flocks counting about 

 10 to 20 for instance on the desert plains near ravines, 

 rivulets etc. where there are plenty of crevices and holes 

 which can serve for, a refuge. When scared they run in 



^ This indicates pronounced insectivorous habits which may no 

 doubt account for the smallness of the teeth! 



