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 hirtula
  • Helogale parvula
Helogale ranges

Extant Species

ImageScientific nameCommon NameSubspeciesDistribution
Helogale hirtulaEthiopian dwarf mongoose
  • H. hirtula hirtula
  • H. hirtula ahlselli
  • H. hirtula annulata
  • H. hirtula lutescens
  • H. hirtula powelli
eastern Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.
Helogale parvulaCommon dwarf mongoose
  • H. parvula parvula
  • H. parvula ivori
  • H. parvula mimetra
  • H. parvula nero
  • H. parvula ruficeps
  • H. parvula undulatus
  • H. parvula varia
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

  1. 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


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