<< Previous Next >>

Yellow Mongoose


Yellow Mongoose
Photo Information
Copyright: Nel Diepstraten (NellyD) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 404 W: 0 N: 699] (2745)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-01-27
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon 350 D, Canon EF 55-200 mm 1:4.5-5.6 II USM
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-01-27 10:47
Viewed: 415
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Today I visited the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam, where I took a lot of pictures. One of them is this one of a yellow mongoose, making a nice pose for me.
And here's some information on the mongoose from the internet:

The Yellow Mongoose, sometimes referred to as the Red Meerkat, is a small mammal averaging about 1 lb (1/2 kg) in weight and about 20 in (500 mm) in length. A member of the mongoose family, it lives in open country, from semi-desert scrubland to grasslands in Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

As many as twelve subspecies of Yellow Mongoose have been described. In general, the Yellow Mongoose has lighter highlights on the underbelly and chin, a bushy tail, and a complete lack of sexual dimorphism. Southern Yellow Mongooses are larger, have yellow or reddish fur, longer fur, and a longer tail with a characteristic white tip. Northern subspecies tend towards smaller size, grey colouration, a grey or darker grey tip to the tail, and shorter hair more appropriate to the hotter climate.

The Yellow Mongoose is carnivorous, consuming mostly arthropods but also other small mammals, lizards, snakes and eggs of all kinds.

The Yellow Mongoose is primarily diurnal, though nocturnal activity has been observed. Living in colonies of up to 20 individuals in a permanent underground burrow complex, the Yellow Mongoose will often co-exist with ground squirrels or suricates and share maintenance of the warren, adding new tunnels and burrows as necessary. The tunnel system has many entrances, nearby which the Yellow Mongoose makes its latrines.

The social structure of the Yellow Mongoose is hierarchical, based around a central breeding pair and their most recent offspring. There are also subadults, the eldery, or adult relatives of the central pair. Male ranges tend to overlap, while females from other dens have contiguous non-overlapping ranges. Every day, the alpha male will mark members of his group with anal gland secretions, and his boundaries with facial and anal secretions, as well as urine. The alpha male also rubs his back against raised objects, leaving behind hair as a visual marker of territory. Other members of the group mark their dens with cheek secretions.

Predators of the Yellow Mongoose are birds of prey, snakes and jackals. When frightened, the Yellow Mongoose will growl and secrete from its anal glands. It can also scream, bark, and purr, though these are exceptions, as the Yellow Mongoose is usually silent, and communicates mood and status through tail movements.

The mating season of the Yellow Mongoose is between July and September, and it gives birth underground between October and December, with no bedding material, in a clean chamber of the burrow system. Usually, two offspring are produced per pregnancy, and they are weaned at 10 weeks, reaching adult size after 10 months.

norenastramus, boomcat, LarZ has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekLens members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Claudine: Hi Claudine,NellyD 1 02-01 08:15
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Great nature pic.

This is SOOOO lovely! I am happy to see this wonderful creature:)! You captured such a cute pose with excellent details, exposure and colors. I wish I have one at home :) TFS,
Claudine

Hello Nel,
I'd say he is rather clever, balancing nicely on two... and a tail!
A charming little fellow with a curious expression, well framed and with great details in the well groomed fur coat!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hello Nel,

I like the colors Bg pOV DOF excllent detail svery crisp well balaced and composed photo

TFS Kyle

i know it call Meerkat but what i do not know it is call Mongoose too..

excellent shot with fine detail and sharpness, Nel. well done.

regards, terry

Hi Nel, nice creature in splendid pose with excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Nel,
This is really cute. Beautiful shot.
Well done.TFS.
Greetings
H.Ayhan
:)

  • Great 
  • LarZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 0 N: 60] (313)
  • [2008-02-05 4:57]

Hi Nel,
Ah ja, wat een schattig plaatje van dit beestje. Hij staat daar mooi en trots op z'n achterpootjes en het is zo'n leuk gezicht hoe hij z'n voorpootjes houdt. Mooi werk, bedankt!
Groeten,
Lars

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF