Small Indian MongooseHerpestes auropunctatus

Habitat and ecology

It is believed that mongooses were first introduced to Mauritius towards the mid19^th Century, but the authorities noticed its insatiable appetite for poultry, so they promptly eliminated the introduced population. Following a plague epidemic in 1899, the government brought in 20 male individuals to help control the rat population. Unfortunately, the 20 individuals were not all male – it is believed that there were in fact three females; this led to the widespread proliferation of the species throughout the island. 

The small Indian mongoose is reported to prefer dry habitats, grassland and secondary growth to dense forest.In Mauritius however, a study found that this species favoured woodland and scrub regions, and preferred riverine and dense forest at larger spatial scales. Rocky areas, long grass such as sugar cane plantations, short grass and paths are also the habitat of choice for the mongoose in Mauritius. The species is also found around human habitations.

Small Indian mongooses are generally carnivorous and prey on small mammals such as rats, birds, small reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates and plant material. The species shows a high degree of versatility in its dietary choices, which has contributed to its invasive nature. 

Mongooses are known to breed two or three times a year with some breeding peaks but no specific breeding season, and females who are sexually mature at the age of 10 months usually bear litters of three young.

Conservation and management

Small Indian mongooses have a very wide native range and are therefore not considered at any level to be threatened by extinction. The species is nevertheless protected under CITES as it is traded as a pet. It is listed in the Global Invasive Species Database of the IUCN and in Mauritius, they have been blamed for the elimination of some introduced game birds and the decline of endemic species such as the 'Endangered (EN)' pink pigeon.