- Falanouc
Taxobox
name=Falanouc
status = EN
status_ref =IUCN2006|assessors=Dollar|year=2000|id=8327|title=Eupleres goudotii|downloaded=10 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered]
trend=down
status_system=iucn2.3
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Mammal ia
ordo =Carnivora
familia =Eupleridae
subfamilia =Euplerinae
genus = "Eupleres"
species = "E. goudotii"
binomial = "Eupleres goudotii"
binomial_authority = Doyere, 1835The Falanouc is a rare endemic Malagasy euplerid.
Its is classified alongside its closest living relative, the
Fanaloka , in the subfamilyEuplerinae . The Falanouc has several peculiarities which merit its independent classification. It has no anal or perinealgland s (unlike the Fanaloka), nonretractile claws, and a uniquedentition : the canines andpremolar s are backwards-curving and flat. This is thought to be related to its prey, mostly invertebrates, such asworm s,slug s,snail s, andlarva e.It lives primarily in the lowland
rainforest s of the centre and northwest of its island. It is solitary and territorial, but whether nocturnal or diurnal is unknown. It is small (about 50 cm long with a 24 cm long tail) and shy (clawing, not biting in self-defence). It most closely resembles themongoose s with its long snout and low body, though its colouration is plain and brown (most mongooses have colouring schemes such as striping, banding, or other variations on the hands and feet).Its life cycle displays periods of fat buildup during April and May, before the dry months of June and July. It has a brief courting period and weaning period, the young being weaned before the next
mating season . Itsreproductive cycle is fast. The offspring (one per litter) are born in burrows with opened eyes and can move with the mother through dense foliage at only two days old. In nine weeks, the already well-developed young are on solid food and shortly thereafter they leave their mothers. Though it is fast in gaining mobility (so as to follow its mother on forages), it grows at a slower rate than comparatively-sizedcarnivore s.References
*Macdonald, David (ed). "The Encyclopedia of Mammals". (New York,
1984 )
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