page_title: Ruddy mongoose
section_title: Distribution and habitat
hierarchical_section_title: Ruddy mongoose / Distribution and habitat
caption_attribution_description: English: Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii), Panna Tiger Reserve, India
context_page_description: The ruddy mongoose is a mongoose species native to hill forests in India and Sri Lanka. This mongoose, along with the striped-neck and Indian grey mongeese, are the only mongoose species endemic to India and Sri Lanka. The ruddy mongoose is very closely related to Indian grey mongoose, but distinguished by its slightly larger size and black-tipped tail extending for 2 to 3 inches at the distal end. There are two subspecies of this mongoose, H. smithii smithii in India, and H. smithii zeylanicus in Sri Lanka.
context_section_description: The ruddy mongoose is mainly a forest-living animal and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded in secluded paddy fields and in comparatively open fields.
caption: A ruddy mongoose in Panna National Park
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