Crossarchus
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 Common Kusimanse
(Crossarchus obscurus) |
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Crossarchus alexandri |
Crossarchus is a genus of mongoose, commonly referred to as the kusimanse, or dwarf mongoose.
Contents |
[edit] Range and habitat
Found in the swamplands and forests of central and western Africa, in the countries of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
[edit] Diet
They feed on insects, larvae, small reptiles, crabs and berries. They use their claws and snouts for digging in leaf litter, under rotted trees and stones for the insects and larvae. They will also wade in to shallow streams looking for freshwater crabs.
[edit] Reproduction
Females are polyestrus and if not mated will come into heat nine times in a year. Litters range from 2-3 per year. The young can open their eyes in about twelve days, eating solid food in three weeks and have adult hair in five weeks.
[edit] Behavior
Crossarchus live in groups of 10 to 24. One to three families live in a group. The families are made up of the mating pair and the young. They are diurnal, and will wander throughout their territories constantly, never staying in one place too long. In their wanderings they will create temporary shelters for themselves
[edit] Species
- Alexander's Kusimanse, Crossarchus alexandri
- Angolan Kusimanse, Crossarchus ansorgei
- Common Kusimanse, Crossarchus obscurus
- Flat-headed Kusimanse, Crossarchus platycephalus
