The business of DWARF MONGOOSES

species “The major is that difference the common between has the carnassia two l Ethiopian molars (meat ’s molars -slicing are teeth heavier ) w , hile perh the aps better adapted for crushing.”

In Africa there are two species of dwarf mongoose in the genus Helogale.

1 The common dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) occurs widely in the southern and eastern parts of Africa.

2 The Ethiopian dwarf mongoose (Helogale hirtula) is found in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, though there is some overlap in their ranges.

These are probably evolutionary adaptations to differences in the respective diets available to the two species.

Dr Ian John Whyte  is an independent environmental consultant who retired from SANParks in 2007. He was previously engaged in full-time wildlife research in Kruger National Park from