Cape Grey Mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta ) Description. The Cape grey mongoose (or small grey mongoose) is a small sleek animal with a grizzled dark grey coat. The tip of the tail may be darker. Their top lip has a naked groove. The ears are small and set low on the sides of the head. Each foot has five toes with short, curved claws. Size. About the size of a small cat, this mammal averages about 1.5-2 lb (650-900 g) in weight, with body length 13in. (34 cm) and tail length 12in. (30cm). Males are slightly bigger than the females. Habitat. The Cape grey mongoose takes refuge in ground holes constructed by other species such as springhares. Rock piles and dense vegetation are also used. Behavior. The Cape grey mongoose is solitary and diurnal. They live in overlapping home ranges of 5-68 ha, with the males having larger ranges than the females. Diet. The grey mongoose is a carnivore, scratching in the soil for insects, particularly grasshoppers and locusts. It also eats rats, mice, lizards, snakes, bird's eggs and chicks. They have a cat-like hunting style: crouching and stalking their prey, then dashing out and pouncing. The prey is usually killed by a head bite. They may eat garbage and carrion. Predators. In the Langeberg area, leopards, caracal, snakes and raptors. Reproduction. Litters of up to three cubs are born from August to December. They are independent at four months. On Wildcliff. First spotted in March 2008 in and around Talari house.

Links & References

• Galerella pulverulenta research bibliography
• Paolo Cavallini, Mammalian Species, No. 409, Herpestes pulverulentus (Dec. 10, 1992), pp. 1-4