Crossarchus obscurus
long-nosed cusimanse

Crossarchus obscurus is native to West Africa. It is found in the high forest zone and the associated riparian forests of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and possibly Guinea. (Goldman, 1987)

This mongoose differs from the other social mongooses (Helogale, Mungos, Suricata) in that it lives in the high forests of Western Africa and not in the open areas that these other species normally occupy. Other mongooses are typically found in savannas, woodlands, open grasslands, and semi-arid bush. Crossarchus obscurus is often found near water. It eats food found near and in the water's edge, along with the food it finds in the dense ground cover vegetation of the high forests. These animals also forage in old agricultural lands that are returning to forest. (Goldmand, 1987). Crossarchus obscurus occurs at elevations between sea level and 1,000 m.

Cusimanses are small mongooses. They have a slender body with short legs and a short tail (146 to 210 mm) that tapers evenly from its base to its tip. The forelimbs are plantigrade, while it is uncertain whether the hindlimbs are plantigrade or semidigitgrade. Claws on the forefeet are longer than those on the hindfeet, but both have well developed digital, interdigital, thenar, and hypothenar pads. Also, the soles of the hindfeet are naked (without fur) except for the last one-third by the heel. The head of this animal has round, short ears, and a snout that extends well beyond the lower lip. The pupils of the eyes have the shape of elongated (horizontally) ovals. Females of this species have six mammae and both sexes have a pair of anal scent glands. (Goldmand, 1987).

The fur on these animals varies in texture and in color. Body fur color tends to be a mix of browns, greys, and yellows. The guard hairs are long and bristle-like and lighter in color at their tips. The dense underfur is lighter in color than the guard hairs. The fur on the legs is a darker blackish-brown. Facial fur tends to be lighter and shorter than that of the rest of the body. (Goldmand, 1987).

The skull of C. obscurus is characterized by a long, narrow, and elongated rostrum. Also, the posterior margin of the palatine is evenly emarginated. The dental formula is i3/3, c1/1, p3/3, m2/2, with a total of 36 teeth. (Goldmand, 1987).

In captivity, C. obscurus is known to live nine years (Goldman, 1987).

Crossarchus obscurus is a gregarious species, highly social, and diurnal. These animals tend not to stay in one place for long and will wander in circles over their territories. As they wander, they seek refuge under logs or in hollowed out logs, in thick vegetation, or in burrows that they find. Members of this species has also been known to dig their own burrows or to dig into termite mounds for shelter (Goldman, 1987).

This mammal has displayed play behavior in both the wild and in captivity. Threat displays have also been observed. Goldman (1987) reported that pet animals that have been attacked by dogs much larger than their own size have not hesitated to get into a threat position, which includes arching the back, extending the limbs, and hairs becoming fully erect.

In captivity, comfort movements such as yawning and stretching have been observed. Grooming is rudimentary. (Goldman, 1987).

This mammal kills it prey with one single bite to the back of the neck, but they do not shake their prey. Cusimanses forage at night, individually or in groups (up to 20 or more) (Goldman, 1987). Their foraging techniques include scratching and digging at leaf litter and soil with their claws and turning over woody debris and stones. Snouts are also used to push around material while foraging. They do this to find insects, larvae, small reptiles, crabs, tender fruits, and berries, all of which are the main components of their diets (Nowak, 1999). In their search for prey, C. obscurus has been observed climbing slanted trees and foraging in the water to find freshwater crabs (Goldman, 1987).

Crossarchus obscurus is often preyed upon by larger carnivores and birds of prey (Goldman, 1987).

Ecoparasites such as ticks, lice, and fleas are often found living on this species (Goldman, 1987).

Since cusimanses are easily trained they are often kept as pets (Goldman, 1987).

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Most of the information available on this species is a result of studies that have been done on animals in captivity. Field research is lacking (Goldman, 1987). Crossarchus obscurus is a monotypic species meaning that no subspecies occur. Speciation in the genus Crossarchus occurred in the Pleistocene in association with climatic and vegetational changes that occurred during the Quaternary Period. As cycles of moist and arid conditions occurred during this time, there were repeated reductions of the high forest zone during the arid phases. This resulted in the formation of refugia or relect areas of the high forest. During the arid phases these refuges would maintain populations of the ancestor species. Allopatric speciation in each of these refugium resulted in the four species of this genus that occur today.(Goldman, 1984).