FOOD, FEEDING AND GROOMING BEHAVIOR OF SMALL INDIAN MONGOOSE (HERPESTES JAVANICUS) IN CAPTIVITY AT CHITTAGONG ZOO

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate body length-weight, food, and feeding behavior of Small Indian Mongose (Herpestes Jauanicus) kept at Chittagong Zoo, Chittagong. A group of four mongoose individuals was studied. The mean length of male and female were40.83 and 50 cm respectively. Mean weight of male and female were 1029.5 and 620 gm respectively. The food items generally supplied to the mongoose at Chittagong Zoo are fish, beef ,animal offal and boiled chicken eggs. The average food consumption was 135.14 gm per day per animal and this was about 15% of body weight. Small Indian mongoose made a to and fro movement on the floor of the cages when foods are offered. They preferred fish and eggs specially yolk than animal offal and beef. They drank water before and after feeding. Self-grooming includes scratching of its own skin and hair roots and social-grooming include one mongoose scratch skin and fur of another.