Galidia elegans
SUBFAMILY
Galidiinae
TAXONOMY
Galidia elegans Geoffroy, 1837, Madagascar.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Galidie élégante; German: Ringelschwanzmungo; Spanish: Mangosta de cola anillada; Malagasy: Vontsira mena.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Body length 11.8 in (30 cm); tail 8.3 in (21 cm); weight 2 lb (900 g). Fur is soft russet-brown. Tail has five or six black rings.
DISTRIBUTION
Northern, eastern, and west-central Madagascar.
HABITAT
Lives in humid forests.
BEHAVIOR
Diurnal. Living in pairs or small family groups lead by female.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Diet consists of small mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles, aquatic invertebrates, fish, insects, and millipedes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Monogamous. One young is born, fully furred, with eyes closed. Mature at one year.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
