A. paludinosus Skull Replica measures 4.1 inches. A. paludinosus Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Atilax paludinosus is the scientific name. Known as Water Mongoose.

Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.

The Water Mongoose or A. paludinosus is a medium-sized mongoose native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it inhabits foremost freshwater wetlands.

The Marsh Mongoose fur is dark reddish brown to black with white and fawn colored guard hairs. The hair behind the neck and in front of the back is short, but longer on the hind legs and on the tail. Its muzzle is short with a fawn colored mouth, short whiskers.

The Water Mongoose or A. paludinosus is solitary. It is an excellent swimmer and can dive for up to 15 seconds, using its feet to paddle. On land, it usually trots slowly, but can also move fast.

Feeding behavior of eight captive water mongoose or A. paludinosus was studied in 1984. When the mongooses sighted prey in the water, they swam or walked towards it, used their digits to seek it out, but kept their heads above water. Once located, they grabbed it with the mouth and killed it outside the water.

Water mongoose or A. paludinosus killed rodents and frogs by biting them on the head, and occasionally also shook them. When finished eating, they wiped their mouths with their forefeet. They broke eggs by throwing them backwards between their legs.

They have a large skull with a short muzzle. The large brain is associated with increased tactile sensitivity and muscular control of the forepaws. These characteristics enables this semi-aquatic mongoose to locate and eat crabs and other relatively hard-bodied prey.

After a gestation of 69 to 80 days, females give birth to a litter of two to three young, which are fully furred. Their eyes open between the 9th and 14th day, pupils are bluish at first and change to brown at the age of three weeks.

Water Mongoose or A. paludinosus ear canal opens between the 17th and 28th day. Females start weaning their offspring earliest on the 30th day, and young are fully weaned by the age of two months.

Water Mongoose Facts:

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

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