The ring-tailed mongoose is a euplerid that lives on the island of Madagascar. There is actually much disagreement about the placement of Madagascar's carnivores including the ring-tailed mongoose, within the phylogenetic tree. Recent molecular work by Anne Yoder et al. reported in the journal "Nature" suggests that the Malagasy Carnivora evolved from a single herpestid ancestor.
Similar species: Carnivorans
By Tarsier
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Uploaded Nov 29, 2015. Captured Oct 13, 2015 09:47 in 3B, Madagascar.
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While the Fossa may be the most well-known carnivore on Madagascar, it’s not the only one! The Ring-tailed Vontsira (Galidia elegans), also known as the ring-tailed mongoose, is actually the most common and widespread of Madagascar’s carnivores. These beauties are quite small at 38 cm long (15 inches); they are diurnal, agile, playful, and are proficient swimmers. When not simply being adorable, they spend their time hunting for snacks, such as fish, insects, birds, reptiles, eggs, fruit, and small mammals. They definitely aren’t particular! {Spotted in Madagascar by JungleDragon user, Tarsier} #JungleDragon Posted 6 years ago