Black mongoose
| Black mongoose | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Herpestidae |
| Genus: | Galerella |
| Species: | G. nigrata |
| Binomial name | |
| Galerella nigrata Thomas, 1928[1] | |
The black mongoose (Galerella nigrata) is a species of mongoose found in northern Namibia and south-west Angola. Although originally described as a separate species by Thomas (1928),[1] it was later often considered as a variant of the slender mongoose. However, recent genetic analysis has confirmed its status as a separate species.[2]
Range and habitat
The black mongoose occupies a distinct habitat in the mountainous regions of the north-west of Namibia and south-west Angola. It is one of the few mongoose species that has made its home in isolated granite kopjes.[3]
Description
The black mongoose resembles the slender mongoose except that its coat is entirely black.
Feeding
Like other species of Galerella in southern Africa, the black mongoose has a broad diet, consuming adult, larval and pupal sarcophagid flies, amongst other insects, as well as reptiles, birds, small mammals and fruits.[3]
References
- 1 2 Thomas O (1928). "Two new S. W. African mongooses". Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 10 (59): 408. doi:10.1080/00222939208677435.
- ↑ Tromp S (2007). "Introducing the black mongoose" (PDF). University of Queensland.
- 1 2 Warren Y; Cunningham P; Mbangu A; Tutjavi V (2009). "Preliminary observations of the diet of the black mongoose (Galerella nigrata, Thomas, 1928) in the Erongo Mountains, Namibia". African Journal of Ecology 47 (4): 801–803. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.2008.01028.x.