Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Specy

Indian grey mongoose

Mammals

The Indian grey mongoose, Urva edwardsii, also called the Asian grey mongoose, is a mongoose native to the Indian subcontinent and West Asia. It has tawny grey or iron grey fur that is grizzled, stiff and coarse, weighs 0.9 to 1.7 kilograms, and can discriminate four colours, more than most other mammals. It lives in open forests, scrublands, grasslands and cultivated fields, often close to human habitation, and it is an excellent climber that lives singly or in pairs. It is omnivorous, taking mostly live prey such as mice, rats, lizards, snakes and beetles, and it is known for fighting snakes. It is often kept as a pet to keep dwellings free of rats, it is the state animal of Chandigarh, and it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Omnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 1
Threats
Biological Resource Use 1
Relationship to People
Kept as Pets 1
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Conservation Status
Least Concern 1
Body Size Band
Medium 1
Lifespan
12 1
Lifespan
7 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Urva, Taxa
Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)

In Biome

Grassland, Biomes
Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)
Xeric Shrubland, Biomes
Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Afghanistan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India
Bangladesh

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat
Quote, Distribution and habitat
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
India

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat
Quote, Distribution and habitat
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
Iran

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Afghanistan
Nepal

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat
Quote, Distribution and habitat
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
Pakistan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India
Saudi Arabia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
Quote, Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Afghanistan
Sri Lanka

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitat
Quote, Distribution and habitat
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
Sources
1. Indian grey mongoose (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
  • Ecology and behaviour
    The Indian grey mongoose is omnivorous, though most of its diet is made up from live prey it catches from being an opportunistic hunter
  • Relation with humans
    The Indian grey mongoose is often kept as a pet to keep dwellings free from rats and other pests.
  • Relation with humans, relationship to people
    an illegal trade in hair for the purposes of making of paint brushes and shaving brushes continues
  • Relation with humans, threats
    an illegal trade in hair for the purposes of making of paint brushes and shaving brushes continues, and this is one of its most significant threats
  • Ecology and behaviour, lifespan
    The lifespan of the Indian grey mongoose is seven years in the wild, or 12 years when in captivity.
  • Lead, system
    The grey mongoose inhabits open forests, scrublands and cultivated fields, often close to human habitation.
  • Distribution and habitat
    India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives
    Afghanistan, Pakistan, India
  • Distribution and habitat, where it lives (2)
    Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Afghanistan
  • Lead, living or extinct
    The Indian grey mongoose or Asian grey mongoose (Urva edwardsii) is a mongoose species native to the Indian subcontinent and West Asia.
  • Characteristics
    weight: 0.9-1.7 kg (2-4 lb)
  • Lifespan
    The lifespan of the Indian grey mongoose is seven years in the wild, or 12 years when in captivity.
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.