Fun Stripe-necked Mongoose Facts For Kids

Gurpuneet Kaur
Jan 09, 2023 By Gurpuneet Kaur
Originally Published on Aug 06, 2021
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Fact-checked by Pradhanya Rao
Stripe-necked mongoose facts to keep you engaged.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.5 Min

Are you keen on reading about various mammals, especially mongooses? Read more about one of the mongooses, a striped necked mongoose!

A striped-necked mongoose, Herpestes vitticollis, is a species of mongoose found around Asia mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka. It has a short body length with brown and gray shades of fur over the body. There are two subspecies of striped-necked mongoose recorded, Urva vitticolla vitticolla, and Urva vitticolla inornata. The striped-necked mongooses are carnivores that feed on crabs, frogs, mouse deer, reptiles, rodents, fish, and other small mammals. It is even noticed that striped-necked mongoose can prey on species bigger than their body size. The striped-necked mongoose belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, and order Carnivora.

While mongooses are known for their friendly temperament, but according to the sources, the striped-necked mongooses are said to avoid residing near human settlements and rather stay within forests or nearby a water source.

If the uniqueness of the stripe-necked mongoose makes you interested to read more about similar species, you can read about these numbat facts and nutria facts.

Stripe-Necked Mongoose Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a stripe-necked mongoose?

A striped-neck mongoose belongs to the family of mongooses. It belongs to the kingdom of Animalia, phylum Chordata, and the family Herpestidae. It is one of the Indian species of mongooses.

What class of animal does a stripe-necked mongoose belong to?

A striped-neck mongoose belongs to the class of mammals and has two subspecies, Urva vitticolla vitticolla, and Urva vitticolla inornata. It is one of the animals recorded on the Indian land. Stripe-necked mongoose classification highlights the species to belong to the order Carnivora.

How many stripe-necked mongooses are there in the world?

The population of mongoose stripe-necked from the genus Urva remains undeciphered. The search revealed that the species are listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Where does a stripe-necked mongoose live?

A necked mongoose stripe is found mainly in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. One of the mongooses was also recorded in the southern Andhra Pradesh region of India.

What is a stripe-necked mongoose's habitat?

The stripe-necked mongoose habitat ranges from well-wooded regions to shrublands, including mainly deciduous forests. It is also found near the stream, river, and water source but easily adapts to drylands, too.

Who do stripe-necked mongooses live with?

The stripe-necked mongoose, Herpestes vitticollis, are found to live a solitary life. They are said to avoid human settlements, unlike other mongooses who are quite friendly with humans. They do well with species that they prey on as it eases their task to search for their food.

How long does a stripe-necked mongoose live?

While the record for the average of necked mongoose stripe is yet to be computed. It is highlighted from the references related to the search done on the animal that a striped-necked mongoose is recorded to live up to 12.8 years when captivated.

How do they reproduce?

The striped-necked mongoose, Herpestes vitticollis, is said to be a viviparous and dioecious animal. The search related to reproduction habits in this animal is yet pending, it is recorded that it gives birth to two to three litters at once. The pups are recorded to be born around or within the month of May, while the breeding period of the adult remains undeciphered.

What is their conservation status?

The striped-necked mongoose from the order of carnivores is tagged as the Least Concern species under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Stripe-Necked Mongoose Fun Facts

What do stripe-necked mongooses look like?

A striped-necked mongoose is a short-sized animal with fur over its body. The color mongoose, stripe-necked, is said to vary from rusty brown to gray, according to the search. The search also highlighted a black stripe that runs laterally on both sides of the neck. The tail is recorded to be short in length and black in color. The tail length is recorded to vary within 12.5 in (32 cm).

Stripe Necked Mongoose In their natural habitat

How cute are they?

Due to its petite body length and weight, the striped-necked mongoose is considered cute. They are speculated to be a pleasure to see then move.

How do they communicate?

With references to their sparse population, there is a limited search done on these animals belonging to the class of mammals. Due to which their behavior remains unrecorded. Comparing to the communication methods adopted by mongooses in general, it is speculated that they inhabit various vocalizations and gestures to communicate with each other.

How big is a stripe-necked mongoose?

The body length of the Herpestes vitticollis is recorded to range from 18-19.6 in (46-50 cm) with a tail with a black stripe of length 12.5 in (32 cm). It is almost twice the size of a small Indian mongoose.

How fast can a stripe-necked mongoose move?

The exact speed of the striped-neck mongoose is undeciphered, while they are speculated to move quite swiftly with their small size.

How much does a stripe-necked mongoose weigh?

The male striped-neck mongoose is recorded to weigh twice a female. A male weighs around 6.8 lb (3 kg), while a female weighs 3.7 lb (1.7 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific name assigned to the respective sex of the species from the order of carnivores. They can be called out as stripe-necked mongoose males and stripe-necked mongoose females in layman language.

What would you call a baby stripe-necked mongoose?

The baby of a striped-neck mongoose from the genus Urva is called a pup in general.

What do they eat?

A stripe-necked mongoose diet consists of crabs, birds, frogs, fish, hares, mouse deer, and small mammals. They are even recorded to prey on animals larger than their own size and weight.

Are they loud?

While there is limited research done on the species from the order of carnivores, the animal from phylum Chordata and class Mammalia are speculated to be loud. A striped-neck mongoose being short in size is said to have considerable volume.

Would they make a good pet?

While mongooses are recorded to have a friendly temperament towards humans, a striped-neck mongoose avoids humans and prefers to stay in forests or near water. Thus, it is advised not to pet it.

Did you know...

While a striped-neck mongoose is rarely found in groups, the group of striped-neck mongooses is called mongaggle or mongeese.

They are rarely spotted and mainly in southern India and Sri Lanka.

The Herpestes vitticollis is named a stripe-necked mongoose due to the stripe pattern over its body.

In 1911, one species of this mongoose was found in Andhra Pradesh, away from its habitat.

Scout body with short legs and striped pattern over the animals from the class of mammals make the species unique. While every species is unique in its own way, the cuteness of the mongoose is sure to win your heart.

Where do Indian mongooses live?

Indian mongooses are found in open forests and shrublands of the Indian subcontinent and West Asia.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these mongoose facts and coatimundi facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Stripe-necked Mongoose coloring pages.

Stripe-necked Mongoose Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Crabs, birds, frogs, fish, mouse deer, and small mammals

What Type of Animal were they?

Carnivore

Average Litter Size?

2-3

How Much Did They Weigh?

3.7-6.8 lb (1.7-3 kg)

What habitat Do they Live In?

shrublands and deciduous forests

Where Do They Live?

india and sri lanka

How Long Were They?

18-19.6 in (46-50 cm)

How Tall Were They?

N/A

Class

Mammalia

Genus

Urva

Family

Herpestidae

Scientific Name

Herpestes vitticollis

What Do They Look Like?

Rusty brown, gray and black

Skin Type

Fur

What Are Their Main Threats?

humans

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Written by Gurpuneet Kaur

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

Gurpuneet Kaur picture

Gurpuneet KaurBachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

As a skilled content writer, Gurpuneet has written and managed engaging content for multiple websites and companies. Driven by a passion for helping young people achieve their full potential, she brings a unique perspective to her work. She is currently pursuing a degree in Economics from Sri Guru Gobind Singh College Of Commerce. With extensive experience as a tutor, Gurpuneet has made a significant impact by providing guidance and academic support to students. Her dedication extends beyond tutoring as she has volunteered with Action India, where she offered medical assistance and educational aid to underprivileged communities. Additionally, Gurpuneet has contributed to the creation of student study guides for various educational agencies.

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