Taxonomic name: Herpestes javanicus (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)
Synonyms: Herpestes auropunctatus (Hodgson, 1836)
Common names: beji (Bengali), Kleiner Mungo (German), mangouste (French), mangus (Hindi), mweyba (Burmese), newla (Hindi-India), small Indian mongoose (English)
Organism type: mammal Herpestes javanicus (Indian mongoose) is a small, slim-bodied predator native to areas from Iran, through India to Myanmar (Burma) and the Malay Peninsula. It has been introduced to islands such as Mauritius, Fiji, the West Indies and Hawaii to control rats, particularly in sugar cane fields. Unfortunately, native mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates proved to be easier prey and the mongoose has been responsible for at least three total species' extinctions and many other local extinctions. It is also a vector for rabies. Description
The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) has a slender body is with short legs. The head is elongated with a pointed muzzle. The tail is robustly muscular at the base and tapers gradually throughout its length. Length of head and body is 509 to 671mm. Ears are short and project only slightly beyond the fur. Feet have five toes with long sharp non-retractile claws. Hair is short. Both sexes have an extensible anal pad with ducted glands lateral to the anus. Fur is soft, pale to dark brown flecked with golden spots. Underside is paler than rest of body. Eyes are amber/brown but are blue green in young animals. There is distinct sexual dimorphism. Females range in length from 509 to 578mm with a mean of 540mm. Body mass at sexual maturity ranges from 305 to 662 g with a mean of 434g. Males have a wider head and more robust body ranging in length from 544 to 671mm with a mean of 591mm (Nellis, 1989). Occurs in:
agricultural areas, coastland, desert, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands, urban areas, wetlands Habitat description
The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is reported to prefer dry habitats and this is supported by the observation that trap success falls to zero in rainy weather in most cases. Habitat preferences in the native range have not been investigated but it seems the species prefers grassland and secondary growth to dense forest. Mongooses are also found around human habitation. Studies on Caribbean islands have shown a clear preference for dry natural areas are preferred over rainy areas. Mongooses reach dense population on Hawai’i and in this case they begin to exploit wet areas (Hays and Conant, 2007). In Mauritius tended to be found in rocky areas, riparian habitats and mature forest over scrub, long grass (sugar cane plantations), short grass and paths (Roy et al. 2002). In Puerto Rico male mongooses from the rain forest areas were larger than those in dry forests (Vilella, 1998). General impacts
The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) has had a major impact on native species in the areas where it has been introduced. In most cases the native wildlife in these areas evolved in the absence of predatory mammals so they are particularly threatened by mongoose predation. Species considered to have been driven extinct through mongoose predation are the barred-wing rail (see Nesoclopeus poecilopterus in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) in Fiji and the Hispaniola racer (Alsophis melanichnus) (Hays and Conant, 2007). The critically endangered and almost extinct Jamaica petrel (see Pterodroma caribbaea in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) suffered drastic decline in numbers in the 19th century presumably due to predation by mongoose and rats (BirdLife International 2004). Mongooses have also been implicated in the decline of many other bird, reptile and mammal species. Mongooses also eat invertebrates but the impact of this predation on invertebrate populations has not been studied. On St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands H. javanicus is a major predator of hawksbill turtle eggs (see Eretmochelys imbricata in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and trapping around vulnerable beaches led to much greater breeding success for the turtles (Coblentz and Coblentz, 1985). Mongooses on Mauritius have been blamed for the extirpation of introduced game birds and the Audobon’s shearwater (Puffinus l’herminieri) as well as contributing to the decline of endemic species such as the endangered pink pigeon (see Nesoenas mayeri in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Roy et al. 2002). In Japan the species has been shown to have a strong negative effect on the endangered Amami rabbit (see Pentalagus furnessi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (Watari et al. 2008). Small Indian mongooses are also a vector for rabies. Uses
The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) was introduced as a biocontrol agent to control rats in cane fields but not particularly effective and the enormous cost to native species far outweighed any benefit. Notes
Taxonomy of the small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is constantly under debate and the species has also been referred to as H. auropunctatus (e.g. Nellis, 1989).
The species can range large distances with a mean home range in Mauritius of 770m2 (range 250-1100m2) (Roy et al. 2002). Geographical range
Native range: The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is native to northern Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (south to Sind on the west and Orissa on the east), Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China including Hainan Island.
Known introduced range: The species has been introduced to (year of introduction in parentheses) Antigua, Barbados (1877). Beef Island, Buck Island (1910), Croatia (1910), Cuba (1866), Fiji (found on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; introduced 1883), French Guiana, Grenada (1882), Guadeloupe, Guyana, Hawai’i (found on Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu; introduced 1883), Hispaniola (1895), Jamaica (1872), Japan (found on Okinawa and Amami; introduced 1910), Jost Van Dyke, La Desirade, Lavango, Mafia (Tanzania), Marie- Galante, Martinique, Nevis, Puerto Rico (1887), St. Croix (1884), St. John, St. Kitts (1884), St. Lucia, St. Martin (1888), St. Thomas, St. Vincent, Suriname (1900), Tortola, Trinidad (1870), Vieques, and Water Island (Nellis, 1989, Hays and Conant, 2007). Introduction pathways to new locations
Biological control: Introduced for biological control of rats and snakes in agricultural habitats, from which the animals spread throughout local areas within decades.
Local dispersal methods
Natural dispersal (local):
Other (local): Spread to neighbouring islands by cane planters. Management information
Physical: Trapping is commonly used to remove small Indian mongooses (Herpestes javanicus) from sensitive areas. It is often very successful at removing animals in the short term. Unfortunately, trapping programmes need to be run almost constantly as mongooses re-colonise trapped areas very quickly (Roy et al. 2003; Hays and Conant, 2007). Fencing has been proposed as a possible control method in Mauritius but predator proof fences are expensive and inflexible should the area that needs to be protected change (Roy et al. 2002). Chemical: Diphacinone anticoagulant poison has been used to control mongooses in Hawai’i (Hays et al. 2007). The use of this toxin has been considered in Mauritius but poisoning methods would have to be adapted to prevent poisoning of non-target species (Roy et al. 2002). Integrated management: There is concern in Mauritius that removing mongooses without also removing cats and rats will be disastrous for native species because it may lead to increased rat and cat populations (Roy et al. 2002). Nutrition
Small Indian mongooses (Herpestes javanicus) are omnivorous and have a very varied diet. Diet has not been investigated in the native range but a large number of studies have investigated diet in areas where the species has been introduced. Small Indian mongoose diet normally consists of mammals, birds, herpetofauna, invertebrates and plant material. Proportions of these dietary items vary according to availability and location of the study. Some populations are largely insectivorous; others may eat a diet largely consisting of fruit for part of the year (Hays and Conant, 2007). This high level of dietary flexibility has contributed to the small Indian mongoose’s success as an invasive species. Reproduction
Placental, sexual. Breeds two or three times a year, no real season, though there are breeding peaks.
Two litters of three youngs per female per year. Females can breed from the age of 10 months. Lifecycle stages
Gestation 42-50 days, weaning 5 weeks, sexual maturity 10 months, total life expectancy in wild animals 3-4 years. This species has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders Reviewed by: Major update under progress
Dr. Sugoto Roy (Coordinator); Hebridean Mink Project. Central Science Laboratory Sand Hutton, York UK
Compiled by: Dr. Sugoto Roy (Coordinator); Hebridean Mink Project. Central Science Laboratory Sand Hutton, York UK & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Thursday, 16 March 2006
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