Atilax Temporal range: Early
Pleistocene -
Recent
| |
---|---|
Marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Carnivora |
Suborder: | Feliformia |
Family: | Herpestidae |
Subfamily: | Herpestinae |
Genus: |
Atilax F. Cuvier, 1826 |
Species | |
Atilax is a genus of mongoose containing a single living species, the marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus). A single fossil species probably ancestral to the marsh mongoose is also known from South Africa. [1]
The generic name Atilax was introduced in 1826 by Frédéric Cuvier. [2]
They are solitary, nocturnal, and semi-aquatic mammals that inhabits wetlands and feeds on fish, crustaceans, frogs, and small mammals. [3]