H. pulverulentus Skull Replica or African Grey Mongoose measures 2.6 inches. H. pulverulentus Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. 2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw). Made in USA. Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.
The Cape Grey Mongoose or Herpestes pulverulentus is a small species (55–69 cm long, weight range 0.5 – 1.0 kg). It is a dark gray color with a darker tip of the tail. The legs are a darker gray than the rest of the body.
It has a typical elongated mongoose body-shape. The ears are small and rounded and are situated on the sides of the head. The tail is long and bushy. The teeth show adaptations for both cutting and crushing.
H. pulverulentus feeds mostly on insects and small rodents, but will also eat birds, small reptiles, amphibians, other invertebrates, and fruit. They have been known to eat carrion and garbage as well.
African Grey Mongoose predominantly eat insectivorous but also carnivorous. Insects and other arthropoda such as spiders are caught on the ground and then held down with the forefeet and eaten.
Larger prey such as rodents are stalked and killed with a bite to the head. Large prey items are held down with the forefeet and then torn into bite size pieces with the teeth.
Small rodents, in particular Otomys and Rhabdomys, are their most important dietary component. On occasion, immature hares or the young of small antelopes such as Cape grysbok may be attacked.
African Grey Mongoose are diurnal. When not breeding, it is solitary, but litter remains together in a family party at least until late adolescence. It is not entirely clear whether this species is territorial or not, or whether it might be more social than generally believed.
Litters of 1 to 3 young are born from August to December and are hidden in burrows, rock crevices or tree hollows. At birth, the pups are fully furred but their eyes and ears are closed, only opening after about 2 weeks.
The young remain in the breeding burrow until they are fully weaned, and leave when they are capable of independence.
They are poor diggers so they utilize piles of rocks, crevices, deserted burrows and hollows in tree trunks for shelter when there is not sufficient bush cover.
Cape Gray Mongoose Facts:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Herpestidae
Genus: Galerella
Species: G. pulverulenta
Binomial name: Galerella pulverulenta
Conservation status: Least Concern