Helogale
Helogale is a genus of the mongoose family (Herpestidae). It consists of two species and 12 subspecies:[1]
| Dwarf mongoose | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Herpestidae |
| Subfamily: | Mungotinae |
| Genus: | Helogale Gray, 1861 |
| Species | |
| |
 | |
| Helogale ranges | |
Extant Species
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Subspecies | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Helogale hirtula | Ethiopian dwarf mongoose |
|
eastern Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. |
 | Helogale parvula | Common dwarf mongoose |
|
East to southern Central Africa, from Eritrea and Ethiopia to the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the Republic of South Africa. |
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
- Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. (2005). "Helogale". Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- 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
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.