NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The Water Mungoose 



(Mungos paludinosus typicus) 

 Syn. : Herpestes galera 



Also known as the Zwarte Muishond, Bruin Kommetje- 

 gat-kat ; Ivusi of the Amaxosa. 



The Water Mungoose is common throughout 

 South Africa, and extends north as far as the 

 Equator. UnHke its South African cousins, it is an 

 aquatic animal, and is never found far from water. 

 The reeds and rushes on the margins of lakes, 

 rivers, ponds, and marshes are its haunts. Although 

 its feet are not webbed, it is an expert swimmer and 

 diver, rivalling the otter in this respect. When 

 hunted from its lair by dogs, it at once takes to the 

 water, and is with difficulty caught. When hard 

 pressed it often resorts to a clever and effective 

 manoeuvre to outwit its pursuers. Diving down 

 amongst the water weeds, rushes or reeds, it keeps 

 its body completely immersed, the tip of its nose 

 only appearing above water. One evening about 

 sundown on my estate in Natal I surprised a Water 

 Mungoose in a pond which had formerly been a clay 

 pit. There was no cover in the shape of rushes or 

 water weeds, with the exception of a few isolated 

 tufts of watergrass near the margin. After swim- 

 ming about and diving repeatedly, the mungoose 

 suddenly vanished. I carefully watched for several 

 minutes, but it failed to appear. I sat down, de- 



26 



