How to Identify Herpestidae

Herpestidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Carnivora, class Mammalia. The family contains 16 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Herpestidae Species

How to identify Ichneumia albicauda (G.Cuvier, 1829)

Ichneumia albicauda (G.Cuvier, 1829)

Ichneumia albicauda (G.Cuvier, 1829)

Ichneumia albicauda (white-tailed mongoose) is a large mostly solitary African m…

How to identify Herpestes javanicus (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Herpestes javanicus (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Herpestes javanicus (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Herpestes javanicus, the Javan mongoose, is a small carnivorous mammal native to…

How to identify Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus (Hodgson, 1836)

Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus (Hodgson, 1836)

Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus (Hodgson, 1836)

Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus is a mongoose native to South and Southeast As…

How to identify Herpestes urva (Hodgson, 1836)

Herpestes urva (Hodgson, 1836)

Herpestes urva (Hodgson, 1836)

Herpestes urva, the crab-eating mongoose, is a small mammal native to eastern an…

How to identify Atilax paludinosus G

Atilax paludinosus G

Atilax paludinosus G

Atilax paludinosus G, the marsh mongoose, is a small solitary carnivore native t…

How to identify Mungos mungo (Gmelin, 1788)

Mungos mungo (Gmelin, 1788)

Mungos mungo (Gmelin, 1788)

The banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) is a social African mongoose species that liv…

How to identify Suricata suricatta (Schreber, 1776)

Suricata suricatta (Schreber, 1776)

Suricata suricatta (Schreber, 1776)

Suricata suricatta (meerkat) is a small social mongoose native to arid regions o…

How to identify Herpestes fuscus Waterhouse, 1838

Herpestes fuscus Waterhouse, 1838

Herpestes fuscus Waterhouse, 1838

The Indian brown mongoose is a large nocturnal carnivorous mongoose native to So…

How to identify Galerella sanguinea (Rüppell, 1835)

Galerella sanguinea (Rüppell, 1835)

Galerella sanguinea (Rüppell, 1835)

Galerella sanguinea, the common slender mongoose, is a small diurnal mongoose fo…

How to identify Helogale parvula (Sundevall, 1847)

Helogale parvula (Sundevall, 1847)

Helogale parvula (Sundevall, 1847)

Helogale parvula, the common dwarf mongoose, is Africa's smallest carnivoran wit…

How to identify Herpestes vitticollis Bennett, 1835

Herpestes vitticollis Bennett, 1835

Herpestes vitticollis Bennett, 1835

Herpestes vitticollis, the stripe-necked mongoose, is a small carnivore found in…

How to identify Herpestes edwardsi (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Herpestes edwardsi (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Herpestes edwardsi (É.Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818)

Herpestes edwardsi, the Indian grey mongoose, is a small carnivorous mammal nati…

Browse all 16 Herpestidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Herpestidae?

Herpestidae animals belong to the Carnivora order in the Animalia kingdom. The base of its large, bushy tail is brownish yellow, while its distal half is white, which is the feature that gives the species its common name. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Herpestidae?

Herpestidae is classified in the order Carnivora, class Mammalia, phylum Chordata. Its body is dark brown, and its legs are distinctly black.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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