Behavioural ecology of the black mongoose (Galerella nigrata) in Namibia

Abstract: The black mongoose (Galerella nigrata) occurs in northern Namibia, where it occupies habitats dominated by large boulders (petrophily). Because of its restricted distribution, virtually nothing has been documented about its natural history. To fill this data gap, six males were radio-tracked in the foothills of the Erongo Mountains, Namibia in 2003. Although largely solitary, some home ranges overlapped nearly 100%. Males sometimes formed hunting diads similar to other congeners. The animals were diurnal and denned alone, using multiple sites haphazardly from night to night. The diet included many petrophilic vertebrates. The taxonomic status of the black mongoose is controversial; in addition to morphological evidence that it is a full species, it appears to be a habitat specialist compared with other forms of Galerella in southern African. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]