Water Mongoose Skull Replica

Description

Water mongoose skull replica measures 4.1 x 2.2 x 1.7 inches. The Atilax paludinosus is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The water mongoose is native to sub-Sahaan Africa. They inhabit freshwater wetlands, marshes, and riverbanks.

These semi aquatic mammals feed mostly on crabs, snails, frogs, and rodents. They use their digits to seek out prey underwater while keeping their heads dry. They also eat birds and bird eggs. To break tough eggshells, they throw them backwards between their legs against rocks.

Females give birth to a litter of two to three young after a gestation period of about 80 days. The babies are born fully furred. Their eyes are open within 14 days, and the mother fully weans them by two months of age.

They are also called the marsh mongoose. Their thick fur is dark reddish-brown to black with white and fawn-colored guard hairs. The fur is short behind the neck but grows much longer on their hind legs and tail.

They have a short muzzle, short whiskers, and a fawn-colored mouth. These solitary animals are excellent swimmers that can dive underwater for up to 15 seconds. They paddle with their feet to navigate marsh waters.

On land, they trot slowly but can move very fast when threatened. When they finish eating their food, they always wipe their mouths clean with their forefeet.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Suborder: Feliformia
• Family: Herpestidae
• Subfamily: Herpestinae
• Genus: Atilax
• Species: A. paludinosus
• Binomial name: Atilax paludinosus
• Conservation status: Least Concern

Walter the water mongoose wants to play water polo with Yancy the yellow mongoose skull replica. She happily said yes. She also invited Ella the Egyptian mongoose skull replica to the game. Of course, Jack the Jackson’s mongoose skull replica is ready for action. He wants to challenge the girls against the boys today.