Marsh Mongoose
Atilax paludinosus
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnivorans)
- FamilyHerpestidae (Mongooses)
- GenusAtilax (Marsh Mongooses)
- SpeciesAtilax paludinosus (Marsh Mongoose)
About the Marsh Mongoose
The marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), also called water mongoose, is a medium-sized mongoose species native to sub-Saharan Africa that inhabits freshwater wetlands. It has been listed as a Least-concern species on the IUCN Red List since 2008.
The generic name Atilax was introduced in 1826 by Frédéric Cuvier. In 1829, Georges Cuvier referred to a mongoose in the marshes of the Cape Province using the scientific name Herpestes paludinosus. It is the only extant member of the genus Atilax, although an extinct ancestral species from the Early Pleistocene known as Atilax mesotes was also a member of the genus.
The marsh mongoose's fur is dark reddish brown to black with white and fawn coloured guard hairs. The hair behind the neck and in front of the back is short, but longer on the hind legs and on the tail. Its muzzle is short with a fawn coloured mouth, short whiskers and a naked rhinarium. It has 3.1.3.23.1.3.2 × 2 = 36 teeth. Its short ears are round. It has two nipples. Its feet have five flexible digits each with curved claws, but without any webbing. The soles of its feet are naked.
Females measure 48.72 cm (19.18 in) in head-to-body length... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Marsh Mongoose in Addo Elephant National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park
Yellow Mongoose
Cynictis penicillata
Slender-tailed Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
Cape Gray Mongoose
Galerella pulverulenta
Lion
Panthera leo
Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Bat-eared Fox
Otocyon megalotis
Brown Hyaena
Hyaena brunnea
African Clawless Otter
Aonyx capensis
Caracal
Caracal caracal
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Afro-Australian Fur Seal
Arctocephalus pusillus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 5 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 6 | Liwonde National Park | 🇲🇼 Malawi | |
| 7 | Gorongosa National Park | 🇲🇿 Mozambique | |
| 8 | South Luangwa National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 9 | Tarangire National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 10 | Masai Mara National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 11 | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 12 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 13 | Serengeti National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Marsh Mongoose in Addo Elephant National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Marsh Mongoose sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Marsh Mongoose in Addo Elephant National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Marsh Mongoose in Addo Elephant National Park in our monthly data.