Rising Tide Images
Mongoose Sentinel
Standing on its hind legs this mongoose pokes its head above the tall grass to survey the territory for food, mates, and intruders. Despite their apparent cuteness and extensive folklore, in Hawaii mongooses are an introduced opportunistic omnivore, and are a threat to indigenous wildlife, especially ground nesting birds. Contrary to described behavior, I have also seen one climb a tree in search of food. Interesting mammals that are fun to observe, but they were imported inappropriately into the island ecosystem, through no fault of their own.
Mongoose Sentinel
Standing on its hind legs this mongoose pokes its head above the tall grass to survey the territory for food, mates, and intruders. Despite their apparent cuteness and extensive folklore, in Hawaii mongooses are an introduced opportunistic omnivore, and are a threat to indigenous wildlife, especially ground nesting birds. Contrary to described behavior, I have also seen one climb a tree in search of food. Interesting mammals that are fun to observe, but they were imported inappropriately into the island ecosystem, through no fault of their own.