Urva brachyura rajah

(Thomas, 1921)

Vernacular names
English : Short-tailed mongoose
French : Mangouste à queue courte

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Herpestidae
Notes : 2 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to a body length of 49 cm, tail length of 25 cm and weight up to 3 kg. Large mongoose with short thick tail. Cheeks yellowish, head paler (mostly olive-brown) than rest of body (brown with orange to yellow speckling).

Range and habitat
This subspecies is endemic to Borneo. The species also occurs in extreme south Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Java. Lives in primary and disturbed forests, often near streams, to 1280 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species still has a large range but could be hunted for food at least on Sumatra and Borneo. Furthermore, it could be threatened by loss of habitat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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