The Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose is less sociable than most mongooses, being found alone or in small family groups of up to five. It is mostly diurnal and, while it spends the bulk of its time on the ground, it will also climb trees and vines and even sometimes swim. During the night it will shelter in rapidly dug burrows or in hollow trees. Its diet comprises a wide range of prey from small mammals, birds and eggs to reptiles, frogs, invertebrates and fish (2) (3). In addition, in forests close to human habitation it is not uncommon for these mongooses to prey on domestic chickens (3). Like most mongooses, the Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose has a large anal gland with which it secretes scent on rocks and trees to mark territory (3) (5). Perhaps the most curious trait is the ability to produce a wide range of vocal calls specific to different activities, from cat like 'miaows' when capturing prey to alarm-raising moans and grunts (3). Mating occurs between April to November, with a single young born following a gestation period of little under three months. New born infants resemble miniature adults with full fur and colouration, but weigh only 50 grams and do not take their first steps for almost two weeks. Young reach physical maturity after a year and sexual maturity another 6 to 12 months later, at which point they separate from their parents (2) (3). It is not known how long this species lives in the wild but in captivity one Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose lived for 24 years (2).

The most common, widespread and regularly encountered native carnivore of Madagascar is easily recognised by its bushy, ringed tail after which it is named (3). The Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose is the size and shape of a typical mongoose, with a low-slung body, short legs, small, pointed head and rounded ears (3) (4). The pads of its feet are large, smooth and hairless providing it with uncommon arboreal agility. Its coat is generally russet-chestnut in colour with the exception of the head, throat and chest which tend to be olive tinged, the feet and legs which are sometimes brown or black and the four to six alternate black bands ringing the tail (2) (3). Three subspecies are recognised on the basis of slight variation in colouration and geographical range (3).

This species is endemic to Madagascar where it is widespread in the eastern, northern and western forests from sea level to around 1,950 m asl on the Andringitra massif (Albignac 1973; Goodman 1997).

Ring-tailed mongooses, Galidia elegans, are native to Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa. They inhabit the northern, eastern, and west central areas of the island.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Endemic to Madagascar, the three subspecies, Galidia elegans elegans, G. e. dambrensis and G. e. occidentalis occur in the north, east and central-west of the island respectively (3).

Ring-tailed mongooses are relatively small, ranging between 32 and 38 cm in length and weighing from 700 to 900 g. These animals have a long, thin body, a round head, a pointed snout, and small, round ears. They have short legs, webbing on their feet, short claws, and hair on the underside of the feet. Their pelage is a deep reddish-brown across the head and body, and black on the feet. As the name implies, their long, bushy, raccoon-like tail is colored with black and red rings.

Range mass: 700 to 900 g.

Range length: 32 to 38 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Galidia elegans thrives in the humid forested areas of Madagascar. This species occupies an area of approximately 650,878 ha. The forest type is subtropical to tropical dry forest.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

The Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose inhabits moist and dry forests from sea-level to around 2,000 metres, but is most abundant in forests below 1,500 metres (2) (3).

Ring-tailed mongooses are carnivorous, but also consume insects and fruit. Their food includes small mammals, invertebrates, reptiles, fish, birds, eggs, and fruit.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; reptiles; fish; eggs; insects

Plant Foods: fruit

Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates)

Galidia elegans is a predator of small mammals and birds in the forests of Madagascar. It is also a competitor of the small Indian civet, Viverricula indica.

No information regarding predators was found.

Galidia elegans preys on:
Actinopterygii
Insecta
Reptilia
Aves
Mammalia
Microcebus rufus

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Communication via scent marking is important in ring-tailed mongooses. Only the males have anal sacs. Males rub on tree trunks, branches, and rocks.

Because these animals are diurnal, they probably have some visual communications, through body postures, with conspecifics. Tactile communication is always important in mammals, especially between mates, parents and their offspring, and rivals for territory or mating partners. Although no vocalizations are reported in the sources summarized here, it is likely that these animals also use noises to communicate with one another.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

There are records of ring-tailed mongooses living up to thirteen years in captivity, but their lifespan in the wild is likely half that.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 13 (high) years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 13.2 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 13.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 26 years (captivity) Observations: One wild born animal was about 26 years old when it died in captivity (Ronald Nowak 1999).

The mating system of this species has not been reported. However, these animals are found often alone or in pairs, and are not as social as many other viverids. This implies that they may be monogamous, although there are no data to confirm this.

Ring-tailed mongooses mate from April to November. After a gestation period of from 72 to 91 days, females give birth to a single offspring. Births occur between July and February. The young reach adult size at about one year of age, and reproductive maturity is attained in their second year.

Breeding interval: These animals are apparently capable of breeding annually.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs between April and November.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Range gestation period: 72 to 91 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 50 g.

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 737 days.

No information is available detailing parental care in this species. However, it is likely that, as is the case for most carnivores, the young are altricial, and do not open their eyes until they are a few weeks old. The mother probably gives birth to her young in a den or burrow, where the infant remains protected until it is able to move around well in its environment. Because this is a mammalian species, we know that the female provides milk to her offspring. The duration of nursing has not been reported, nor the length of association between the young and parents after birth. It is not known if the father participates in parental care.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

Ring-tailed mongooses are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The population is believed to have decreased by 20% over the past ten years due to habitat reduction and degredation. This problem of habitat loss is compounded by competition with small Indian civets, as well as with feral dogs and cats.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Despite still being fairly widespread, the Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose has suffered a suspected decline of over 20 percent in the last ten years (1). This is primarily a result of habitat loss associated with forest clearance for firewood, charcoal and agriculture (1) (6). It is thought that the extent of this habitat destruction has caused Malagasy mongooses to become the most vulnerable of all mongoose species in the world (5). The predicament for the Malagasy ring-tailed mongoose is thought to be under additional pressure from increased competition with the non-native small Indian civet, and feral cats and dogs (1).

Conservation Actions

In the 150 million years since Madagascar split from the African mainland it has become a hot spot for biodiversity, with 98 percent of its land mammals occurring nowhere else on earth (6). Given the threat posed by habitat destruction to Madagascar's rich but fragile ecosystem, a number of international organisations including the WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust are actively involved in conservation projects throughout the country. This includes working with the local government to expand protected areas to ensure Madagascar's unique biodiversity, of which the ring-tailed mongoose is part, is safeguarded for the future (6) (7) (8) (9).

Galidia elegans is known to scavange in human occupied areas and may be considered a pest.

Negative Impacts: household pest

It is unlikely that this species has any positive impact on human economies.