Helogale
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dwarf Mongoose | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Herpestidae |
| Genus: | ''Helogale'' |
| Species | |
| |
| Helogale ranges | |
Helogale is a genus of the mongoose family (Herpestidae). It consists of two species and 12 subspecies:[1]
- Ethiopian dwarf mongoose (Helogale hirtula)
- Helogale hirtula hirtula
- Helogale hirtula ahlselli
- Helogale hirtula annulata
- Helogale hirtula lutescens
- Helogale hirtula powelli
- Common dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula)
- Helogale parvula parvula
- Helogale parvula ivori
- Helogale parvula mimetra
- Helogale parvula nero
- Helogale parvula ruficeps
- Helogale parvula undulatus
- Helogale parvula varia
The helogales are the smallest species of mongooses and both are endemic to Africa. The distribution of the Ethiopian dwarf mongoose is more tropical, and overlaps completely with that of the Common dwarf mongoose, which is more widespread. Both are social diurnal species, and due to their small sizes they are vulnerable to predation. Both species live independently of open water.
References
[edit]- The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals, 1997, Jonathan Kingdon. ISBN 0-12-408355-2
- Anne Rasa: Mongoose Watch: A Family Observed, 1985, John Murray. ISBN 0-7195-4240-5