Collared Mongoose

The collared mongoose has a body length of up to 43 cm (17 in), and weighs up to 1.5 kg (3.3 lb). There are two colour forms– a rarer reddish form and common brown skinned variant. The fur on the throat is lighter than on the rest of the body, with a unique pale stripe below the ear. The fur on the legs is noticeably darker, with a long, stout tail.

The collared mongoose is distributed in Southeast Asia, including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby smaller islands, and possibly in the Philippines. It inhabits lowland and hill forests, mangroves, and sometimes plantations, favoring dense vegetation near streams or wetlands. It inhabits in lowlands and lower montane habitats up to 1,400 m (4,600 ft) elevation. It also inhabits wet swamps, and degraded forests, and is scarcely found in agricultural areas. The collared mongoose is listed as least concern by the IUCN, given its relatively wide distribution.

The collared mongoose is nocturnal mammal, which largely dwells on the ground. It remains mostly solitary, though can sometimes forage in pairs. It is a carnivore and feeds on small mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects.

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