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So cute


So cute
Photo Information
Copyright: Vivian Droog (viv) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 292 W: 3 N: 653] (3317)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-22
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Konika Minolta Dynax 7D, Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO Ultra DG, Soligor UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-03-03 9:36
Viewed: 4106
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
So early in the morning and very nice weather we were very lucky to spot them.
Thank for looking

Appearance
The Dwarf Mongoose is the smallest of the mongoose family, and both males and females weigh only 350-400 gr. Total length is 250 mm and the tail is about the same length as the body. Reaches adulthood in the second year of life. Their coat colour is uniform all over, and can be light brown to a dark chestnut.

Diet
Feeds on invertebrates such as beetles, their larvae, termites and grasshoppers. Insect prey is scavenged on the ground, and sometimes dug out. Small vertebrates are also taken on occasion. Troop members are always on the alert for predators while foraging.

Breeding
After a gestation period of 63 days, gravid females give birth to a litter of two to three. An alpha female can have two to three litters per year. Breeds mainly in the rainy season. Only the dominant pair breeds in each pack; the rest of the group members assist in rearing and fending for the young. Pairs without helpers can not successfully raise young.

Behaviour:
A diurnal, gregarious and territorial specie, which forages in groups. Group sizes can be as large as 20. The roaming pack spends the night in disused termite mounds scattered through its territory.

Habitat:
The Dwarf Mongoose prefers dry woodland savanna.

Where they are found:
The continental distribution of the Dwarf Mongoose reaches its southernmost limits in the woodlands of the Northern and Northwestern Provinces, Mpumalanga and northern Kwazulu-Natal. More widespread in northern countries.

Vital Statistics
Latin Name : Helogale Parvula
Weight (Female) : 210 - 340 g
Weight (Male) : 210 - 340 g
Length (Female) : 38 cm
Length (Male) : 38 cm
Gestation Period : 1,5 months
No of Young : 2 - 4 young
Order : Carnivora
Family : Viverridae
Breeding : 2 - 4 young are born from October - March after a gestation period of ± 8 weeks.

Description
Has 5 toes on the fore-feet, the first being small and lying behind the intermediate pad. The first toe and the proximal pad of the front feet, which may show when the animal is moving slowly, may not show when it is trotting or running. Has 5 toes on the hind-feet, but only the claw of the first toe may show, well back of the other 4 toes. The claws of the front feet are long, curved and sharp, measuring up to 10 mm across the curve and are adapted to digging. Those on the hind-feet are shorter, up to about 8 mm.

Spoor Description
Has 5 toes on the fore-feet, the first being small and lying behind the intermediate pad. The first toe and the proximal pad of the front feet, which may show when the animal is moving slowly, may not show when it is trotting or running. Has 5 toes on the hind-feet, but only the claw of the first toe may show, well back of the other 4 toes. The claws of the front feet are long, curved and sharp, measuring up to 10 mm across the curve and are adapted to digging. Those on the hind-feet are shorter, up to about 8 mm.
Marx44, elif, Luis52, Noisette, iris, Miss_Piggy, crs, matatur has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Ha Vivian,

Perfect shot,
Prima compo met schitterende warme kleuren en inderdaad je hebt gelijk "So cut" is hier zeker op zijn plaats

TFS Thijs

Hello Vivian

A wonderful capture of this mongoose.
The focus and details are sharp. Very nicely composed.
Excellent informative notes.
Congratulations.
TFS

Marx

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-03-03 10:08]

Hallo Vivian,
Prachtige foto van deze mangoest vanuit een perfect laag standpunt. Erg goede scherpte en mooie warme kleuren. Ook de achtergrondkleuren passen er prima bij. Uitstekende compositie.
Groet,
Peter

hallo Vivian
super foto
leuke compositie
en scherp genomen met goed licht
super plaatje
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • elif Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 164 W: 0 N: 101] (466)
  • [2009-03-03 12:40]

Hi Vivian,
İt is a so cute species of Dwarf Mongoose (Türk.firavun faresi). ı like so much :)
Perfect capture with its natural position, colours, details..
Best regard..
Elif

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2009-03-03 14:38]

Hola Viv.
Beautiful photo. Excellent sharpness and what a lovely pose. Great work here.
Luis52.

Hello Viv
Very lovely shot of this mongoose, what a great pose !!
fantastic colors and sharpness
this shot is a masterpiece
TFS Jacqueline

Hallo Vivian
This is a real sweetie pie. So adorable, endearing and cute. The expression captured on its face is priceless. This is definitely a ooh and aah photo. One of those "I also want one of them". It has a high cuteness factor, with a real innocent animated movie character face. Great all around. Focus, sharpness, composition and presentation. You had a pretty willing mongoose to play the perfect model. I enjoyed this one. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Anna

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 60 N: 970] (3088)
  • [2009-03-04 3:26]

Hello Vivian
This is indeed a cute one ..and this one "Dwarf Mongoose" is a new one for me although mongoose are quite commonly seen in my native place in and around the garden and backyard.

The subject is shown in fine details and despite the OOF lower portion one is attracted to the cute pose and the shimmering bronze colour of its body that seems to be soaking up the warm morning sun.The brown BG compliments the mongoose well and is a lovely part of the composition.

It must be quite a sight to see the body length tail and the subject with the tail in full glory:)The details of the ear, the whiskers and the eyes all make it just so adorable.Very well seen and captured.

TFS and cheers
Silpa

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 469 W: 0 N: 922] (3551)
  • [2009-03-04 4:17]

Heloo Vivian,

You have shown the mangoose in a fine pose. As the image is sharp the animal can be well observed. It is obvious the mangoos was nit atentive to you. This makes the photo look very natural.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hello Viv,
a beautiful picture with all kind of brown colour tones.
You managed to take it in a very fine pose and it also well compose with excellent sharpness, every hair is visible.
Well done,
Gert

Such a beautiful image of a Mongoose in its natural surroundings Vivian, looks so alert even this early in the morning. THe lateral POV displays its salient features perfectly my friend, in my WS I tried to lift off the general brownish cast from your image, hope you approve...
Cheers,
Mehmet

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