Ruddy Mongoose
Herpestes smithii
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderCarnivora (Carnivorans)
- FamilyHerpestidae (Mongooses)
- GenusHerpestes (Slender Mongooses)
- SpeciesHerpestes smithii (Ruddy Mongoose)
About the Ruddy Mongoose
The ruddy mongoose (Urva smithii) is a species of mongoose native to the forests of India and Sri Lanka. It is classified as least concern in the IUCN Red List. In 1837, British zoologist John Edward Gray proposed the scientific name Herpestes smithii for a zoological specimen in the collection of the British Natural History Museum. Different species names were proposed by various biologists over the years for the ruddy mongooses. In 2009, the Asian mongooses were classified under a new genus, Urva. Three different sub-species have been recognized: smithii, thysanurus, and zeylanius.
The ruddy mongoose is found in forests and shrub lands in India and Sri Lanka. It is mainly a forest dweller and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded to forage in secluded paddy fields in the region. It is classified as least concern in the IUCN Red List.
The ruddy mongoose is a large mongoose with a greyish-brown fur. It has an average head to body length of 40–45 cm (16–18 in) and a 36 cm (14 in) long tail. The long tail features a darker tasseled tip, which is usually curved upward, and is visible from a distance.
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Recent sightings of Ruddy Mongoose in Yala National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Yala National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yala National Park | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 2 | Wilpattu National Park | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 3 | Ranthambore National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 4 | Bandhavgarh National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 5 | Kanha National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 6 | Sinharaja Forest Reserve | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 7 | Minneriya National Park | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | |
| 8 | Nagarhole National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 9 | Bandipur National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 10 | Gir National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 11 | Satpura National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 12 | Mudumalai National Park | 🇮🇳 India |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Ruddy Mongoose in Yala National Park?
About 80% of wildlife watchers report a Ruddy Mongoose sighting in Yala National Park, based on 210 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Ruddy Mongoose in Yala National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Ruddy Mongoose in Yala National Park in our monthly data.