Wildlifeof Nepal
Crab-eating Mongoose
Civets, Linsangs & Mongooses
Photo: Rejoice Gassah · CC-BY
Urva urva
Basic stats
Diet
Crabs, fish, snails, frogs, rodents, birds, reptiles and insects
Habitat
Subtropical evergreen and moist deciduous forest; also farmland near settlements in Nepal
Range
North-eastern Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia to southern China and Taiwan
Size
Head and body 47.7–55.8cm; tail 28–34cm
Weight
1.1–2.5kg
The crab-eating mongoose is grey on the sides and dusky brown on the neck, chest, belly and limbs. A broad white stripe runs along the side of the neck from the cheek to the shoulder, the head is flecked with white, the chin is white and the throat grey. The ears are short and rounded and the tail bushy, 28 to 34cm long (Wikipedia, general species account).
In Nepal it inhabits subtropical evergreen and moist deciduous forest and has also been seen on farmland near settlements. It has been recorded from sea level to 1,800m. Usually active in the morning and evening, it hunts along stream banks and close to water, and is reported to be a good swimmer. Despite its name, it eats nearly anything it can catch, not only crabs.
Quick answers
- What does the Crab-eating Mongoose eat?
- Crabs, fish, snails, frogs, rodents, birds, reptiles and insects
- What habitat does the Crab-eating Mongoose live in?
- Subtropical evergreen and moist deciduous forest; also farmland near settlements in Nepal
- Where is the Crab-eating Mongoose found?
- North-eastern Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia to southern China and Taiwan
- How big is the Crab-eating Mongoose?
- Head and body 47.7–55.8cm; tail 28–34cm
- How much does the Crab-eating Mongoose weigh?
- 1.1–2.5kg