MIINGOOS, or MONGOOSE (Telugp ma n 91,50. The nningoos (Ilerpestes griseus) is a species of ichneumon (q.v.), a native of India, but introduced into other countries, notably Jamaica, for the purpose of destroying rats and other vermin, upon which it feeds. In India it is often kept about the houses to reduce the number of lizards, why, rats, and snakes. It kills and eats the most poisonous snakes, such as the cobra, the bite of which is either avoided by the agility or else is not fatal to it.
The mungoos was introduced into Janmiea in 1872, when nine specimens were imported to de stroy the rats on a sugar plantation. At first they were highly beneficial, reducing the stated annual loss from rats from $500,000 to one-half that, hut in less than twenty years the island was almost, overrun with them. Not only did they kill rats and mice, howeN cc, but snakes, lizards, ground-birds. and C yen poultry. At one time snakes had Is-Conic no rare that they were regarded as practically exterminated, but since 1896 they are apparently m] the increase. The
ground-doves aml other terrestrial birds, partly at. least by change of habit, are also adapting themselves to this new enemy and their exter mination is no longer to be feared. At the pres ent time the mungoos is common and very tame in most parts of the island and in many other islands, and is generally looked on with favor.
The mungoos is from 15 to 18 inches long, and has a tail 14 to 15 inches in length, very thick at the base and tapering to a point. The fur is rather long and grizzly reddish-gray. A very full account of its habits is given in the Royal Yolurnl II istory. For the details of its history in the West Indies, consult: Morris, The .1! nngoose on Sugar EsIn les in the West I tidies (London, 1882) ; The Field ( London) for July 13, 1895.