habitat_narrative
Terrestrial|Freshwater (=Inland waters)
The Water Mongoose is mainly restricted to riparian habitats (rivers, streams, swamps, marshes and dams), wherever there is suitable vegetation cover and water in close proximity. It is fairly tolerant of altered flow regimes and pollutants. The species is also found along estuaries and in coastal areas. It is also able to live and survive comfortably some distance from water, but there is a clear preference for riparian habitats (Baker & Ray 2013).This semi-aquatic mongoose is not suspected to compete significantly with the Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) and the Spotted-necked Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis) as it does not forage in the water bodies as such. Since it is a shoreline forager, access via sandy and easily accessible rocky shorelines is desirable. Its diet comprises mostly aquatic prey with crabs and frogs usually dominating (Rowe-Rowe 1978; Whitfield & Blaber 1980; Louw & Nel 1986; MacDonald & Nel 1986; Purves et al. 1994), which is unusual among herpestids. However, in some areas, small mammals, terrestrial arthropods, fish and/or birds are also important food sources and may even dominate the diet (du Toit 1980; Maddock 1988; Baker 1989; Somers & Purves 1996; Avenant & Nel 1997; Stuart & Stuart 2003; Nqinana 2009). In the North West Province, Power (2014) observed the species scavenging on carcasses.
The Water Mongoose is a nocturnal species with peaks of activity in both the early and later hours of the night (Maddock 1988; Ray 1997), but occasionally it is already active in the late afternoon and/or extends its activity until early morning (Rowe-Rowe 1978). During the day, individuals sleep in burrows or in high grass or dense reed patches (Ray 1997; E. Do Linh San & M.J. Somers unpubl. data). The day-beds themselves are often located in dry areas on relatively high ground, surrounded by deep mud or water (Ray 1997). In parts of the Karoo Plateau, this mongoose dens up in rock crevices, overhangs and piles (C. Stuart & M. Stuart pers. obs. 1995â2016).
This species is predominantly solitary, although during the breeding season it is not uncommon to observe groups of two or three individuals (mother and offspring) (Photo 1). Adult males and females only meet to mate. The spatial ecology of this species has not been studied thoroughly. In KwaZulu-Natal, Maddock (1988) found home range sizes of 2.04 km² for a male and 1.31 km² for a female, respectively. Often home ranges are rather linear in shape, with individuals sometimes travelling up and down streams up to 5 km in length (Ray 1997). Baker and Ray (2013) suggested that females likely hold territories, while males are more mobile, but further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Water Mongooses communicate with both vocalisations and behavioural displays (Baker 1988), cheek marking and anal gland marking during defecation (Baker 1998). Scats are deposited in middens, which are located in marshy clearings, sandy beaches near streams, on banks around dams or on rocks above the high water mark in coastal areas (Louw & Nel 1986; Macdonald & Nel 1986; Purves et al. 1994; Ray & Sunquist 2001; E. Do Linh San pers. obs. 2006â2009). This species is reputed to be very fierce and capable of successfully confronting domestic dogs when cornered. The expulsion of anal sac constituents when under stress is well documented.
In the assessment region, mating takes place between August and February (Rowe-Rowe 1978; Stuart 1981). Females give birth to 2â3 young (Baker & Meester 1986) after a gestation period of 73â74 days (Baker 1987). Postnatal physical and behavioural development has been studied thoroughly (Baker & Meester 1986; Baker 1992). This species can live up to 19 years in captivity (Nowak 1999).
Ecosystem and cultural services: None known. In the assessment region, its main predators are likely Black-backed Jackals (Canis mesomelas), Caracals (Caracal caracal) and Leopards (Panthera pardus).
