Ruddy mongoose

In 1837, British zoologist John Edward Gray proposed the scientific name Herpestes smithii for a zoological specimen in the collection of the British Natural History Museum.^[3] Different species names were proposed by various biologists over the years for the ruddy mongooses. In 2009, the Asian mongooses were classified under a new genus, Urva.^[4][5] Three different sub-species have been recognized: smithii, thysanurus, and zeylanius.^[6]

The ruddy mongoose is found in forests and shrub lands in India and Sri Lanka.^[4][7][8] It is mainly a forest dweller and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded to forage in secluded paddy fields in the region.^[9] It is classified as least concern in the IUCN Red List.^[8]

The ruddy mongoose is a large mongoose with a greyish-brown fur.^[10] It has an average head to body length of 40–45 cm (16–18 in) and a 36 cm (14 in) long tail.^[11] The long tail features a darker tasseled tip,^[10] which is usually curved upward, and is visible from a distance.^[9]

The ruddy mongoose hunts during both day and night, and feeds on birds, rat snakes, land monitors, rodents and snails.^[9] It is generally considered a solitary animal, though it has been recorded in monogamous pairs during the mating season. Family groups of up to five animals consisting of a mother and pups have been observed in the wild.^[11] While they are generally found in thick jungles, and edges of the forests, they occasionally venture into paddy fields and tea estates. They quickly withdraw into a crevice or underneath a rock shelf on confrontation with humans. When they are cornered, they often show aggressive behaviour while making loud and shrill noises.^[11]