habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
Selousâ Mongoose is restricted to savannah grassland and woodland; it is absent from forest and arid areas (Gelderblom et al. 1995; Stuart & Stuart 2013). It often occurs in habitats such as Acacia scrub and woodland which have a sandy substrate (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Selousâ Mongooses prefer habitats with a softer, sandy substrate where they can excavate their burrows more efficiently. Cultivation and bush clearing does not seem to limit this speciesâ distribution as it is often found in these habitats (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It has not been found to be water dependent, which might be related to the fact that water is often restricted within its distribution (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).Like that of other mongooses, its diet mainly consists of murids, small birds and reptiles, eggs and insects (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). There have been records of Amphibia species (e.g. toads Bufo spp.) contributing to their diet, as well as Aranea and Myriapoda species (e.g. centipede Scolopendra morsitans).
Selousâ Mongoose is believed to be solitary, although pairs have been occasionally recorded (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It is described as essentially nocturnal, with individuals lying in burrows during the day. Such burrows are excavated by themselves in sandy ground. The entrances to their burrows are often located under the shelter of a low bush but will occasionally appear in the open (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Besides the fact that females give birth to two to four young during the warm and wet summer period, little is known of the reproductive biology of this species. A short survey conducted in Zambia found that Selousâ Mongoose does not play a role in the epidemiology of rabies in that country (Sawchuk & Rottcher 1978). Parasites and diseases of this species have never been studied thoroughly.
Ecosystem and cultural services: None reported, but it is likely that Selousâ Mongoose may play an important role in insect and rodent pest control in crop plantations. Further research is needed to quantify both the use of, and the diet of this species in agricultural habitats.
