=== SPECIES PROFILE ===

====== RING-TAILED VONTSIRA ======
Class: MAMMALIA

Order: CARNIVORA

Family: EUPLERIDAE

Genus: GALIDA

Species: ELEGANS

{{ :waeringtailvontsira.png?nolink&400|}}
**K**nown also as the ring-tailed mongoose, this name is something of a misnomer – the species, singular in its genus, is not itself of the mongoose family, Herpestidae, but rather belongs to the family of Malagasy carnivores, which is Eupleridae. It is not either the only ‘honorary mongoose’ in its sub-family either – as its entire sub-family, Galidiinae, is comprised of animals remarkably similar to mongoose in physique and behaviour – that the entire sub-family could be dubbed as ‘honourary mongooses’, more than likely a result of convergent evolution, as its close relatives of sub-family Euplerinae would evolve into a more cat-like appearance and a large predator niche. Seemingly diverged off a separate evolutionary branch than its other ‘honorary mongoose’ relatives, it is perhaps the most early-diverged of these, diverging some 10 or so million years ago. The ancestral ‘honourary mongoose’ seems to have shared an ancestor with the cat-like fossa – which it diverged from perhaps 20 million years ago. The species is found mainly on the east side of the island of Madagascar, in humid forest.

Very much resembling a true mongoose in size and morphology, the legs are comparatively long compared to the body. The animal is fairly small – though growing up to about 40 centimetres in length, is considerably larger than any other species of vontsira, and weighs some 800 grams. It is the most visually distinct of the vontsiras – it is reddish-brown in colour, its tail marked with distinct, dark stripes, giving the animal its species name. Diurnal by nature, fairly little is understood about the complete nature of the species. The species is not believed to be of a social nature, aside perhaps from family groupings. Although most of its time is spent on the forest floor, it is a capable climber, and may take roost in tree cavities overnight, or a burrow on the ground. Vocal communication is yet to be reported, though may well occur. Male vontsiras possess an anal sac, which they use to rub their scent onto elements of their environment, suggesting a territorial nature. Largely carnivorous, they are not obligate carnivores – as well as consuming small mammals, reptiles, eggs, fish, birds and invertebrates, fruit may also be eaten. Data on predation is limited, though it is possible that fossa pose as a potential predator of this smaller mammal.

Ring-tailed Vontsiras are mature around 2 years old, and birth a single pup after around 80 days of gestation. One wild-caught captive individual was observed to have lived 26 years in captivity, though it is believed the wild lifespan is somewhat shorter. The species thrives under professional care in zoos, but captive populations suffer from limited genetic variation. The species, however, is not believed to be under significant threat in the wild, and is listed under ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN, though it is thought that their indeterminate-numbered population may be undergoing decrease from human activity.

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The Wenden Animal Encyclopaedia would like to thank especially:

**Berlin Zoological Gardens, Berlin, Hardenbergplatz 9-11, Berlin 10623**