Small Indian Mongoose

A mongoose in Hawaii

A Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) surveys its surroundings. Easily distinguished by its short legs, long body and tail, and beady red eyes, this mongoose is the poster child for bad ideas in Hawaii. It was deliberately introduced to get rid of rats, which it didn’t do. Instead, it has decimated native bird populations on all the islands except Kaua’i, where it is still, officially, absent.

11 thoughts on “Small Indian Mongoose”

  3. kzmcb

    I shake my head at the harm we’ve done to nature when we try to control it. And usually we create a different headache for ourselves. If it isn’t a creature it’s a plant, and I can’t see evidence that we’ve learnt anything.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham Post author

      Yes, and the problem continues to this day, though considerable efforts are made to be more careful. But so much is transported to and between the islands that it’s almost impossible to catch everything.

      Liked by 2 people

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