Small Indian Mongoose

Small Indian Mongoose
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One of the top global invasive species is the Small Indian Mongoose. Its scientific name is Herpestes auropunctatus or Herpestes javanicus. It is listed in the world’s top 100 worst invasive species by IUCN (IUCN, 2000). It was originally found Southern Asia. It was introduced to the islands in the Caribbean Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific. The mongoose was introduced in sugar cane fields to control rats and snakes during the 19th and 20th century.
The animal is an opportunistic feeder and feed on birds, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians, fruits, seeds, dead organisms (carrions) and plants (Barun, 2011). The Mongoose also feeds on eggs and has damaged four sea turtle species that are endangered. The Nesoclopeus poecilopterus and the Alsophis melanichnus are some of the species that have been driven extinct by the Mongoose. The Jamaica petrel has also been critically endangered by the mongoose. The Amami rabbit in Japan is also said to be endangered by the mongoose (Global Invasive Species Database, 2011).
The Indian mongoose is a successful invasive species because of the following established characteristics. It is found around human habitation and it is a diurnal generalist carnivore. It also has a wide variety of diet. Some efforts being implemented to control the species including physical trapping. Fencing is also used in Mauritius. The Diphacinone anticoagulant poison is used as a che…