Mongoose (Herpestes brachyurus)
Many people especially those in the urban areas of Palawan are not aware of the existence of the mongoose in Palawan. Its range appears to be limited in the province as it is seldom seen.
A few years ago, while visiting a plantation project in the isolated place of Culasian in Bataraza south of Palawan and asking about the animals spotted around there, a local noted that he had seen a mongoose. There was a commotion then. They witnessed a rodent-like animal fighting a snake of undetermined species. No other animal does this but a moongoose.
Picture Credit: Alejandro Bernardo, Jr.
That was the last time I heard about the animal. I tried to ask whoever I meet about this rarely seen animal until my student said they have a stuffed animal in their laboratory. He took a picture and gave me a copy. That's the one you see featured here.
According to Rabor (1986), the short-tailed mongoose or water mongoose is semi-aquatic. That means it spends a part of its life on both land and water because it sources its prey from this habitat. Mongoose are known to fight and feed on snakes whether these are venomous or not (the video below shows how it fights a cobra).
According to Widmann and Hon (2008), the population status of this mammal is poorly known. Its population is restricted to Palawan.
There is a need to study this animal which could possibly be facing extinction at this time.
References
Rabor, D. S, 1986. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna: Birds and Mammals. Natural Resource Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines.
Widmann, P., Azlan J. & Hon, J. 2008. Herpestes brachyurus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1.