Comparative ecology of two sympatric mongoose species (Herpestes javanicus and H. edwardsii) in Pothwar plateau,Pakistan

Two sympatric mongoose species viz.,small indian mongoose (herpestes javanicus) and grey mongoose (h. edwardsii),occur in their native range; the pothwar plateau. both are terrestrial carnivores and diurnal hunters. we studied comparative ecology of the two mongoose species with reference to their distribution,habitat occupied,and populations,from november 2011 to june 2013. a distribution map of the two species was developed by extensive survey of the study area. small indian mongoose was found occupying human habitated areas while the grey mongoose was found occupying more natural areas,however,both species were found living together sympatrically in the cultivated areas. average population of small indian mongoose was found higher than the grey mongoose. in small indian mongoose populations,male to female (m:f) sex ratio was found low but with larger family size as compared to the grey mongoose populations. copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.