Ruddy mongoose

The ruddy mongoose, Urva smithii, is a large mongoose native to the forests and shrublands of India and Sri Lanka. It has greyish-brown fur and an average head to body length of 40 to 45 centimeters, with a tail of about 36 centimeters whose darker tassel is usually curved upward and visible from a distance. It is mainly a forest dweller that prefers secluded areas, though it occasionally ventures into paddy fields and tea estates. It hunts by both day and night and feeds on birds, rat snakes, land monitors, rodents and snails. It is generally solitary, though pairs have been recorded in the mating season, and it is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.