European regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)
EU27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)

The Small Indian Mongoose has been introduced in Croatia, outside of its historic native range, for the eradication programme of the dense population of the venomous Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes). Now the recent distribution includes neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (Barun et al. 2008, Ćirović et al. 2010). For this reason the species is listed Not Applicable for both Europe and for the EU27 Member States.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Small Indian Mongoose was introduced in the region of Dalmatia in Croatia (Ćirović and Toholj 2015). The recent distribution includes neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (Barun et al. 2008, Ćirović et al. 2010).

The species outside the European region is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia (Gilchrist et al. 2009). It possibly occurs in China (including Hainan Island), but these populations might be Javan Mongoose U. javanica (G. Veron et al. pers. comm. 2014). It has been introduced (and often considered an invasive species) to Antigua, Barbados, Beef Island, Buck Island, Carriacou, Cuba, Fiji, French Guiana, Goat Island, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Hawaii, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Japan, Jost Van Dyke, La Desirade, Lavango, Mafia (United Republic of Tanzania), Marie Galante, Martinique, Maui, Mauritius, Molokai, Nevis, Oahu, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. John, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, Surinam, Tortola, Trinidad, Vieques, and Water Island; introduction was unsuccessful in the Dominican Republic (Gilchrist et al. 2009). Either this species or Javan Mongoose was first recorded in Hong Kong in 1989, at a mangrove site in the north-west; by 2010, it was fairly widespread in the New Territories, and was spreading into Hong Kong Island (Lau et al. 2010).

The Small Indian Mongoose stands out as one of the most impactful invasive species in the world (Lowe et al. 2000). The first introduction to Europe was in 1910 in Croatia. Eleven individuals (seven male and four female mongooses) from India were released on Mljet island, Mljet in the Adriatic Sea (Dalmatia, Croatia) (Ćirović et al. 2010).

At global level, the Small Indian Mongoose is suspected to have a relatively large population across its range. However, in central India, it occurs at low densities and is not as common as the Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) (Shekhar 2003).

The ecology of the Small Indian Mongoose has been studied in the introduced parts of its range, but is poorly known within its native range. The following information is taken from Gilchrist et al. (2009).

Habitat. Forest, scrub, and open habitats. Also found close to human habitations. On Mauritius a radio tracking study found that this species favoured woodland and scrub regions over other habitat types, and preferred riverine and dense forest at larger spatial scales.

Food and feeding. Omnivorous. Most of the dietary information comes from introduced populations, but it is reported to eat rodents, snakes, insects, centipedes and scorpions in its native range. The diet appears to vary according to the season and the locality. The stomachs of two specimens collected in the Rajasthan desert, India, contained remains of insects (Heliocopris bucephalus, Anthia sexguttata, Blaps orientalis, Onthophagus longicornis, and Gryllus sigillatus) and a scorpion. In 56 stomachs from Puerto Rico, 315 food items were recorded comprising (frequency of occurrence) insects (56%), reptiles (17%), myriapods (12%), arachnids (8%), mammals (3%), crustaceans (1%), asteroids (starfish) (1%), amphibians (1%), and plants (11%). On St. Croix Island, 36 stomachs contained insects (83%), toads (14%), mice Mus musculus (14%), rats Rattus rattus (14%), crabs (11%), birds (3%), poultry (3%), lizards Anolis (0.5%), fruit (11%), and other plant material (6%). On Viti Levu, Fiji, the analysis of 4,404 scats showed that the diet varied with the habitat: Crabs were the main food in mangrove forests, rats in cane-fields, and cockroaches in urban areas. In Hawaii, a preponderance of cockroaches in the diet was reported. In the Caribbean, the Small Indian Mongoose was observed eating toads (including the parotid glands, which are normally noxious to predators), and the eggs and young of the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). In Mauritius 458 stomachs contained 46% rodents and shrews, 20% tenrecs (Tenrec eucaudatus), 20% invertebrates, 18% refuse, carrion and plants, 15% reptiles and amphibians, and 6% birds; it adapts its diet according to the season, eating more insects during the wet season and more reptiles during the dry season. During the winter on Korcula Island, Croatia, 184 food items were identified in 126 scats the frequency of occurrence was 66% plants (mostly the fruits of juniper Juniperus oxycedrus and Strawberry-tree Arbutus unedo), 38% mammals (mainly Wood Mice Apodemus sylvaticus and rats Rattus), 23% arthropods (mainly Coleoptera and a few Orthoptera), 14% birds (mostly passerines), and 1% reptiles. Compared with introduced populations in tropical areas, individuals on Korcula Island ate more fruits and fewer insects and reptiles. The killing method is efficient; it drives the canines into the brain and vertebral column of rodents, birds and snakes. Centipedes and scorpions are bitten and repeatedly tossed before being consumed. Two individuals were reported working together to hunt crabs (Metapograpsus messor) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; one turned over a stone allowing the other to attack the crab. It is reluctant to enter water more than a few centimetres deep.

Activity patterns. Diurnal activity is reported from observations in India and Pakistan, and in regions where it has been introduced. In the Caribbean most activity was between 1000 h and 1600 h, although it was seldom active on rainy days. Rest sites in Mauritius are mostly fallen trees and holes in tree root systems. In India they are reported to use burrows that they dig themselves.

Movements, home range and social organisation. Information mainly comes from introduced populations. While this species tends to be solitary, there have been frequent observations of individuals close to each other in introduced areas. Home ranges on St. Croix were 2.2 ha for females and 4.2 ha for males; home ranges overlapped both within and between sexes, but the overlap of core areas was minimal. On Oahu Island, Hawaii, the mean home range was 1.4 ha for seven females and 19.2 ha for five males (during the breeding season); the mean intra-sexual overlap of home ranges was 84% for males and 37% for females, with a large overlap between male and female ranges. Each male moved from den to den on successive nights and on some occasions two or three males shared a sleeping den. Females also moved den sites, except when they produced pups, when they showed den-site fidelity during the 20 to 22 days after parturition. It appeared that males formed social coalitions, at least during the breeding season. The high population density in this introduced population suggested an abundance of resources, which may favour social behaviour. Other studies report home range sizes of 22 to 39 ha in the Fiji Islands and 25 to 100 ha on Hawaii. On Puerto Rico, the home ranges of twenty mongooses were 3.2 to 19.4 ha. On Mauritius, the home ranges of 14 individuals were 25 ha to 110 ha, with considerable overlap between individuals. On two islands in Hawaii, both males and females showed natal dispersal in the autumn, and males also dispersed during the breeding season. Population densities varied from fewer than 10 to several 100 animals per km². The Small Indian Mongoose scentmarks using secretions from its anal glands by wiping objects with its anal pouch. Males and females scent-mark their home range and are able to distinguish the scent marks of other individuals. This species has a large vocal repertoire of 12 distinct calls, which is unusually rich for an asocial species. The vocalisations are extremely varied and include weep, squawk, honk, ruck-a-ruck, pant, spit, bark, chuck, scream and growl. Small Indian Mongooses can scratch and dig vigorously and have considerable manipulative dexterity. Gaits include walk, trot and gallop. They can climb, but are rarely observed far above the ground.

Breeding. Breeding data come mainly from captive animals. Ovulation is induced by copulation. The oestrus cycle is about three weeks, with oestrus lasting three to four days. Gestation is approximately 49 days. The mean litter size is two and ranges from one to five. There are two to three litters a year. The timing of reproduction may be related to day length, as most pregnancies seem to occur prior to the summer solstice. In Mauritius, breeding is timed to avoid the driest times of the year. The beginning of oestrus in captive females is revealed by restlessness and increased scent marking. Several males may be in attendance of a female and they commonly scream, bark and chase each other. Both sexes are polygamous and may copulate several times a day in the absence of oestrus, and more frequently during oestrus. Females in the late stage of pregnancy show antagonism toward males. Births occur at night, shortly after sunset. Nesting material is not used. Birth weight is about 21 g. Newborns are covered with light grey hairs, which are sparse on the abdomen; the incisors and the eruptive cones of the canines are visible, and the claws are well developed. The eyes are closed and will open between 17 and 20 days. Mewling vocalisations are emitted when the young are disturbed. At two weeks old, the incisors are fully in place and the canines have erupted. At 22 weeks old, all the permanent teeth are in place. Two-thirds of the adult body mass is attained at four months and sexual maturity is reached at one year. The first excursion out of the den occurs at about four weeks old and the young follow the mother on hunting trips at six weeks. Spermatogenesis in the male begins when the weight reaches 400 g and the baculum reaches adult size and mass at five months or when the weight reaches 500 g.

There are no threats for the species in Europe.

At global level, the Small Indian Mongoose is listed under CITES Appendix III in India (as Herpestes javanicus auropunctatus) (Wozencraft 2005). Due to poaching, mongooses have been reclassified from schedule-IV to schedule-II of the Wildlife Protection Act in India (Sahajpal et al. 2009). This species occurs inside and outside several protected areas throughout its range.

No use or trade is known specifically in Europe.

No conservation measures are required in Europe for this introduced species.