THE MUNGOOSE 



from Bechuanaland, the Kalahari, and from 

 Upington on the Orange River. It is stated to 

 range as far north as Zanzibar. 



This mungoose is shy and secretive, darting in- 

 stantly into cover when alarmed. It is invariably 

 found in localities covered w^ith scrubby bush and 

 undergrowth. The rock-strewn, vegetation-covered, 

 low hillsides are favourite haunts of this graceful 

 little creature. It devours rats, mice, reptiles, &c., 

 like other South African mungooses, but when 

 termites (" White ants ") are plentiful it subsists 

 almost entirely upon them. The termites are 

 secured by scratching a small hole in the side of 

 the termite hill, and when the inmates swarm into 

 the breach they are carefully licked up with the 

 tongue. In many of the more barren districts in 

 which this species of mungoose is found, rats, 

 mice, and reptiles are scarce, or actually non- 

 existent, and in these instances the Ruddy Mun- 

 goose lives exclusively on termites, ants, beetles, 

 and various larvae. When a sufficient foothold is 

 obtainable, it ascends trees in search of birds' eggs 

 and young. 



This mungoose is bright rufous in colour, and the 

 tip of its tail is black. The fur is not annulated. 

 The average length is a foot from the tip of the 

 nose to the base of the tail. The tail is slightly 

 shorter than the body. 



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