African's smallest (biggerrin non-thumbnail mode:))

African's smallest (biggerrin non-thumbnail mode:)) Carnivore the smallest,
In intelligence the tallest
The savannah I hunt
And locusts will stunt
into the Hornbills beaks
Protective service for weeks.

(crappy but informative poem by uhh me:))
Common Dwarf Mongoose,Geotagged,Helogale parvula,The Netherlands — African's smallest (biggerrin non-thumbnail mode:))

Carnivore the smallest,
In intelligence the tallest
The savannah I hunt
And locusts will stunt
into the Hornbills beaks
Protective service for weeks.

(crappy but informative poem by uhh me:))

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Lion Class 12 of 12

Ludo Sak Posted 8 months ago

Did you know these species are the smallest carnivores in the continent of Africa? They team up with Hornbills: while hunting the grounds they scare locusts, which will run, jump anything to get away. There the hornbill birds await, teaming up with the Mongoose. They feast on the locusts and as a return gift they scout the neighbourhood constantly to signal for any danger ahead.
Now they both profit. And live a long and prosperous life in the African heat.

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1. Lion Class 12 of 12
  
  fchristant Posted 7 months ago
  
  Excellent shot Ludo, and I did not know about their cooperation with the hornbills, thanks for sharing.
  
  This reminds me of some Mongoose we saw in Madagascar. We were walking on a narrow path in a dense forest and a mongoose simply passed by us in the opposite direction. No hiding, no running, just passing us inches away as if it was saying "oh hai!".
  
  3 replies Reply
2. 1. Lion Class 12 of 12
    
    Ludo Sak Posted 7 months ago
    
    Ghehe, the beauty in Madagaskar, I read in Darwin's 'The Discovery of Species' is that there haven't been real predators on the isle, no catlike, no monkeylike species. For millions of years there has been no treat to most living greatures that can run up a tree. Maybe this is an ode to that aspect. That must have been a sight.
    
    2 replies Reply
  2. 1. Lion Class 12 of 12
      
      fchristant Posted 7 months ago
      
      Yes, I think that's it. Most mammals in Madagascar don't have a build-in fear of humans. They are cautious, but not afraid.
      
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    2. 1. Lion Class 12 of 12
        
        Ludo Sak Posted 7 months ago
        
        That's the lack of apes for you:) A beautiful thing really, not being afraid at first thought. I hope that will stay the same for millions of years to come, however unlikely, given the rate of deforestation you told us about.
Lion Class 12 of 12

Ludo Sak Posted 8 months ago

He's had some damage on its back. Don't know the background of that. No hornbills to protect him I bet.

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Lion Class 12 of 12

Ludo Sak Posted 7 months ago

Thanks for the promotion!

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Lion Class 12 of 12

FraJH Posted 7 months ago

Hi Ludo, did you make it's hair more light brown here and there (paws, ears, etc) or is this it's natural haircolor?

2 replies Reply
1. Lion Class 12 of 12
  
  Ludo Sak Posted 7 months ago
  
  Nope, it is all natural, the light brown spots are the new hairs showing, the darker ones the winter fur dropping off.
  
  1 reply Reply
2. 1. Lion Class 12 of 12
    
    FraJH Posted 7 months ago
    
    Thank you for the explanation, never seen it with a 'summercoat', so it must have had his wintercoat on.
    
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