The ring-tailed vontsira, Galidia elegans, long known as the ring-tailed mongoose, is a Malagasy carnivoran in the family Eupleridae and the only species of its genus. It is the largest member of the subfamily Galidiinae, usually 32 to 38 cm long and 700 to 900 g in weight, with a slender dark red body, black feet and a bushy tail ringed in black and red that recalls the red panda. Agile and a good climber, it is active by day in humid forests and eats small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds, eggs and occasionally fruit. Its numbers fell about 20 percent between 1989 and 1999 because of habitat loss, and the introduced small Indian civet competes with it.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsInvasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes and Diseases 1 Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 2 Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed vontsira
Galidia, Taxa Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed vontsira
In Biome
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed vontsira
In Ecosystem
Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed vontsira
In the Other Atlases
Found In
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Source Wikipedia: Ring-tailed vontsiraLeadtier 2Quote, Lead
The ring-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans), locally still known as the ring-tailed mongoose, is a euplerid in the subfamily Galidiinae, a carnivoran native to Madagascar
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Ring-tailed vontsira
WikipediaLead
The ring-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans), locally still known as the ring-tailed mongoose, is a euplerid in the subfamily Galidiinae, a carnivoran native to Madagascar
Description
They are quite playful and are active during the day.
Description, diet
Their diet is mostly of small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds, eggs, and occasionally fruit.
Description, system
Their habitat consists of humid forests.
Description, population trend
The population of ring-tailed vontsira decreased by 20% during the period
Description, threats
Another problem is competition with the small Indian civet (Viverricula indica).
Description, body size band
It is usually 32 to 38 cm (12.5 to 15 in) long and weighs only 700 to 900 g (25 to 32 oz).
Child Taxon Of: Galidia, Classification and etymology
A monotypic genus, Galidia literally means
View the Source 2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Galidia elegans
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status
Ring-tailed mongooses are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Conservation Status, CITES
CITES No special status
Lifespan/Longevity
There are records of ring-tailed mongooses living up to thirteen years in captivity
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Galidia elegans is known to scavange in human occupied areas and may be considered a pest.
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