Everything about The Common Kusimanse totally explained
The
Common Kusimanse (
Crossarchus obscurus), also known as the
Long-nosed Kusimanse, is a small,
diurnal kusimanse or
dwarf mongoose.
Description
The Common Kusimanse has a vaguely
weasel-shaped body with dark
brown fur that's thick, with a wiry texture down the back, and fine and soft on the underside. It has short
legs, a short, relatively stiff
tail, long
claws, small
ears, small, dark colored
eyes, and an elongated
nose. Adult size is typically around 33 cm (13 in) with a weight of approximately 1 kg (2.2 lb).
Behavior
This
mongoose is a highly social animal which lives in a small family group of 10 to 20, or more individuals, with a strict hierarchical structure. The members of the family group communicate through various
vocalizations including
whistles,
chirps and
growls.
It is capable of climbing, but tends to restrict most of its activities to the ground. It is very territorial, and will mark the group's territory with anal
scent glands, and defend it vehemently against intruders, even those of a much larger size. It has a variety of threat displays which include various growls and snorts, as well as physical movements such as lunging, back arching, and hair erection. The group is
nomadic, not spending much time in one particular area of their territory. As they move from place to place, they find shelter in tree hollows, other animal's burrows, or
termite mounds.
Distribution and habitat
The Common Kusimanse is found in the west
African countries of
Ghana,
Ivory Coast,
Liberia, and
Sierra Leone, and it has been exported to various other countries for the
pet trade.
It differs from other mongooses primarily in its choice of habitat, which is generally
forested areas near water, whereas most
species of mongoose tend to prefer open
grasslands, or semi-arid brush. It can be found from
sea level to elevations of 1000 m (3280 ft).
Diet
Kusimanses are active foragers, and excellent diggers, which feed on a wide variety of things. Their
diet is primarily
carnivorous, consisting of
insects,
larvae,
fresh water crabs, small
reptiles, and small
rodents. They have excellent
eyesight and keen sense of
smell, making them adept small prey hunters. They prefer to kill their prey with a single bite to the back of the neck. They will also consume various types of
fruits and
berries in small quantity.
Reproduction
Due to their hierarchical social structure, only the primary members of a family group are permitted to breed. Subordinate offspring are often killed and eaten by the more dominant members of the group.
Sexual maturity is reached between nine months of age to a year old. Females go into
estrus up to nine times a year. Males initiate and terminate
copulation without much
courting.
Gestation is approximately eight weeks, and each litter averages 2-4 babies, though they've six
mammae. Females are capable of having three litters per year. Babies are born about 13 mm (0.5 in) long with their eyes closed, and a thick undercoat of fur. After about twelve days, they begin to open their eyes and explore their environment. At around three weeks the mother weans them, their guard
hairs begin to grow in, and they actively forage on their own. They don't grow to adult size until around 6-9 months of age. The life span of the Common Kusimanse in captivity is 10 years.
In captivity
Due to its ease of training, and social nature, the Common Kusimanse is commonly available in the exotic pet trade and is found in many
zoos worldwide. It tends to become quite bonded to its owner, and doesn't interact well with any other kind of household pet. It is highly energetic, requiring a large amount of space to satiate its natural wandering instinct. Without it, it tends to pace and act out with aggression. Its dietary needs can be met with a mix of various things including commercially available
crickets,
mealworms, or
mice, along with a quality
cat food. In captivity the risk of obesity is high, and care should be taken to assure its diet is varied, and that it gets an appropriate amount of exercise. It will often try to eat almost anything it's offered or that it comes across which seems even remotely edible, and will often become aggressive if what it perceives as a food item is taken away.
Captive breeding isn't commonplace, but has been done.
Conservation status
The Common Kusimanse isn't listed as
threatened or
endangered, and while no exact numbers of the wild population is known, isn't considered to be at risk.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Common Kusimanse'.
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