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Dwarf Mongoose


Dwarf Mongoose
Photo Information
Copyright: Tom Conzemius (pirate) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 799 W: 152 N: 1186] (7474)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-12-04
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 7D, Canon 500mm f4 L IS
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite wild animal photos 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2011-01-26 7:49
Viewed: 4972
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula

Following the Springhare and the Genet here another lesser known Savannah creature as our friend Dietrich Meyer (meyerd) would say.

from African Wildlife Foundation www.awf.org

The dwarf mongoose is the smallest of the African mongooses. It is stocky, with a fairly short, pointed muzzle and a long, fluffy tail. It is usually speckled brown or reddish in color.
Dwarf mongooses live in a group of 12 to 15 individuals, which covers a range of approximately 75 acres that overlaps with the ranges of other groups. A range usually contains 20 or more termite mounds, which are used as den sites, lookout posts and sources of food. The mongoose is nomadic, and groups seem to be constantly on the move through their range, seldom using a den site for more than a few days at a time.
Each dwarf mongoose group is led by a dominant female and her male consort, usually the oldest animals in the group. The rest of the group is composed of family members, generally older offspring of the dominant pair. Each year the alpha female produces three litters of young, with two to four infants in each litter. The young of the dominant female are second in the group’s social system, tended for and cosseted by subordinate members. However, this status is immediately lost upon arrival of a new litter. The babysitters, who guard and defend the young, change often during the day so that individuals may forage for food.

Each dwarf mongoose pack has a dominant breeding pair, usually the oldest animals in the pack. Each year the female normally produces three litters of young, with two to four infants in each litter. Subordinate breeding females, which come into estrus at the same time as the dominant female, mate with subordinate males in the pack, but such matings seldom produce live young. It is not certain if they fail to conceive or abort early in pregnancy. In the rare instances when they do produce live young, the newborns are believed to either have died quickly or been killed.

The dominant female spends little time with her young other than suckling them; subordinate females tend to them. The babysitters change often during the day (even subordinate males will relieve them and take a turn) so they can forage for food. The babysitters guard and defend the young.
rousettus, CeltickRanger, valy67, MMM, soccer has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Tom
in last week, I posted a mongoose. but this is different from mine with some details. you are more lucky to get closer and so you had a great details with razor sharpness of focus. POV/DOF and eyes contact superb. colors and composition also very nice. good informative notes.
thanks for sharing this beauty. well done my friend
have a nice evening
Ahmet

hello Tom

a great and beautiful portrait photo of this
small wild animal, fine POV, very beautiful
glance and eye-contact with you, beautiful light,
great focus sharpness and details, beautiful eyes,

TFS

Asbed

Hello Tom,
Beautiful shot captured with fine details, excellent sharpness and great POV. Interesting subject, too. Well done!
Regards,
Mircea

Fantastic colors and detail in the focus area of this Mongoose, Tom! Wonderful brightness and fine smooth colors! Very simple and nice shot in my opinion!
Regards,
George Veltchev

Hi Tom
Impressive photo. The POV, the composition, the lighting, the colours and the sharpness are excellent.
Regards,
Christodoulos

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1727 W: 59 N: 3060] (9219)
  • [2011-01-26 12:14]

Hello Tom !
What an amazing portrait of this Mongoose ! You have managed to capture every details on her face and fur, each little hair is pin sharp. I also like the soft colors, the pose of the Mongosse and the composition of the picture. It is a real pleasure to look at. Very well done !
Valérie.

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2011-01-26 12:34]

Hi Tom
What a great closed up of that Mongoose.Excellent POV and razor sharp image with fantastic fur detailI also like the natural colors,good eye's contact to.
TFS Michel

Hello Tom,

Excellent details in your furry friend!
The DoF is accurate and separate the animal well from the blurry background...
A fine pose, peacefully resting, and I can read a relaxed expression in the big brown eyes!

Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • soccer Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 587 W: 0 N: 655] (2557)
  • [2011-01-27 23:36]

Tom,

Excellent close up of the Mongoose. I like the POV, DOF, composition and detail of the subject displayed in the image.
TFS,
Sheriff

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