Ichneumia albicauda
white-tailed mongoose

Ichneumia albicauda occurs throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the Congo Basin, the Ivory Coast, and the arid regions of western South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Angola. White-tailed mongooses are also found throughout the southern Arabian peninsula. They are fairly common throughout their range and are found in a wide variety of habitats. (Lioncrusher's Domain, 2004)

Ichneumia albicauda is a terrestrial mammal that is found in a wide variety of habitats from woodland to semi-deserts. White-tailed mongooses seem to prefer areas with thick cover, such as forest edges and riparian corridors, and are found mainly in savannah woodlands and grasslands (Nowak 1991, Taylor 1972). White-tailed mongoose are not found in very moist habitats, such as rainforests and swamps, and are also absent from the extremely arid regions of southwestern Africa. These mongooses den in porcupine or aardvark burrows, termite mounds, and holes under roots. (Lioncrusher's Domain, 2004)

White tailed mongooses are relatively large mongooses. Their long yellowish tan hair, and long, black guard hairs make them appear grizzled. The tail is bushy and is white on the terminal half. Hair is lacking on their palms to the wrists and on their upper lip. Females have four mammae.

Captive white-tailed mongooses can live 12 years (Grzimek 1990). Expected lifespan in the wild is unknown.

Ichneumia albicauda is nocturnal , and is often spotted by humans on trails and roads in the light of motor vehicles (Grzimek 1990). The mongoose's days are spent under thick shrubbery or in abandoned burrows (Taylor 1972). White-tailed mongooses are solitary and the incidence of pairs or groups almost always involves mothers with young or consorting individuals. Individuals do not migrate except away from the territory of the parent at independence (Taylor 1972).

White-tailed mongooses prefer to forage alone and to be near or under the cover of vegetation (Grzimek 1990). Locomotion in the white-tailed mongoose is usually a walk or trot similar to one of a dog, but with the head hung low and shoulders hung nearer to the ground than is the base of the tail (Taylor 1972). White-tailed mongooses do not stand on the hind feet, as do other mongooses (Grzimek 1990).

Home Range

Detailed studies of home ranges have shown that males occupy an average home range of 0.97 sq. km, and females 0.64. Male home ranges do not overlap, but there is complete overlapping between opposite sexes. Some female ranges were exclusive, but other females share ranges with their offspring (Grzimek, 1990).

White-tailed mongooses are highly vocal and make unusual sounds associated with sexual behavior that have been likened to a dog-like yap (Nowak 1991). They may defend themselves with a noxious secretion from the anal scent glands.

Ichneumia albicauda feeds mainly on insects, but it has a diverse diet (Nowak 1991). The insects eaten include locusts, beetles, and mole crickets. These mongooses may also consume rats, mice, shrews, lizards, snakes, small birds (including chickens), berries, and fruits (Taylor 1972). When they occur near human settlements, they have been known to steal chickens (Grzimek 1990). They are also known to eat the eggs of wild birds, breaking the shell by throwing the egg back between its hind legs against a hard object (Nowak 1991).

The predators of white-tailed mongooses are unknown. Mongooses are aggressive and will actively defend themselves from predators larger than themselves. They are likely to escape predation mainly through their secretive behavior and cryptic appearance. Likely predators include large snakes, birds of prey, and larger predators such as jackals and jaguars. White-tailed mongooses may make themselves unappealing as a meal through their noxious scent.

White-tailed mongooses are important as predators of insects and small vertebrates in the ecosystems in which they live.

Ichneumia albicauda may take poultry where they occur near human habitation (Nowak 1991).

Although white-tailed mongooses are shy relative to other mongooses, they are said to become a pleasing pet if captured young (Nowak 1991). White-tailed mongooses are important as members of healthy ecosystems. They may act to reduce the abundance of insect pests.

White-tailed mongooses are common throughout their range.

An interesting observation has been reported when a white-tailed mongoose steals chickens. Apparently, the mongoose performs a "dance" in front of a henhouse, attracting the attention of the chickens. When the chicken puts its head through the wire mesh to have a closer look at the dancing mongoose, its head is bitten off (Grzimek 1990).

The generic name Ichneumia derives from the Greek "ichneumon," meaning a tracker. Ichneumon is also the species and vernacular name for Egyptian mongooses, Herpestes ichneumon. The specific name albicauda is derived from the Latin, albus for "white", and cauda for "tail" (Taylor 1972).