Egyptian mongoose: Meet the “pharaoh’s rat”

With a surprising historical footprint, the Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) is an extra in tales of pharaohs and is believed to have joined Arabs and Romans on many of their journeys. This carnivorous mammal can be found from the north (although it occurs in lesser abundance here) to the south of Portugal and stands out for its speed and opportunistic nature. Know this species in more detail, also known as “pharaoh’s rat” and which can be found, among other places, at the estate Herdade do Zambujo. 

No matter how much time elapsed, some things remain timeless. Pests are a good example of this. However, in ancient times, the number of devices available was much smaller, and having an Egyptian Mongoose could make the difference, namely to attack rats and snakes, or destroy crocodile eggs. The Arabs can attest to this as their history intersects with the very same history of this species which can be found mostly in the south of the Iberian Peninsula.

This “ruthless exterminator” – like the mythical character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger – is lethal to animals that threaten crops, and snakes alike. This animal usually hunts the most predominant species in the habitats it lives in and, in addition to the aforementioned animals, and rabbits, it can also feed on birds, reptiles, eggs and mushrooms, among others. On the other hand, the Egyptian Mongoose goes from predator to prey when faced with larger animals, such as the wolf, the Iberian lynx and birds of prey.

We can find representations of the Egyptian Mongoose in Ancient Egypt and the Roman period, in sculptures and paintings. This animal is featured also in tales of struggles between Good and Evil. The Egyptian Mongoose is thus also a symbol of courage and resistance, just like in the legend of “David and Goliath”, given its ability to face threats, especially snakes, theoretically stronger and larger.

Fast and furious: the nature of the Egyptian Mongoose

The Egyptian Mongoose is one of the 15 species of carnivorous mammals occurring in Portugal and stands out for its speed of action (it can reach up to 32 km/h). Its hunting strategy mainly focuses on catching its targets by surprise: This species can explore underground areas, invade mammal burrows or dig up amphibians, but can also chase prey on the surface. In addition to being a burrowing animal, it can also hunt in groups and one of its strategies, in this particular case, is to surround the prey so that it cannot escape. It has a horizontal pupil which is a clear advantage, thus having a panoramic view of the surrounding environment.

The origin of this animal in Portugal is not consensual. It was believed that the Egyptian mongoose had been introduced into our country by the Arabs during the occupation, but a 2010 article raised some issues and this idea fell somehow to the ground. A study by the Paris Museum of Natural History points to a possible natural colonisation, following its passage through the Strait of Gibraltar. This would have happened at the end of the Pleistocene (11,700 – 126,000 years ago), although the Journal of Archaeological Science refers to the oldest fossil record found, dating back to the ninth century and coinciding with a dating made in Spain (between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries).

As for the environment, the Egyptian mongoose prefers habitats with larger vegetation cover, like olive trees, arbutus trees and grapevines, among others. More characteristic of cork oak forests, this species can be spotted in other areas with dense shrub vegetation or, in the case of farmlands, close to watercourses or forests. This traditionally diurnal animal is named mongoose because of its behaviour: the female moves normally with their chicks in Indian file, with each offspring touching the tail of the element that precedes her. This species is also known as the Egyptian rat, mongoose, or scallywag

A “traveller” species

The Egyptian mongoose expanded beyond the African continent and engaged in many “adventures” in mainland Portugal. More associated with the southern region of the country, e.g. the Alentejo and the Algarve, moved three decades ago, in the 1990s, to areas further north, probably due to the abandonment of farmland and the desertification of some areas. We now find this species in northern and central parts of Portugal.

It can be spotted in more than 75 properties managed by The Navigator Company, including Zambujo, a property undergoing ecological restoration since 2022, thus promoting the greater occurrence of this and other species of carnivores.

This animal is somewhat strange for many, given that few people know it and stands out for its different characteristics compared with other similar size animals. Its muzzle is tapered and the nose, dark, has no hair. Regarding the colour of the body coat, it’s a mix of light brown and very dark hairs; the tip is usually in light grey tones. As for its length, it can reach up to one meter, between the body (50 to 55 centimetres, on average) and the tail (between 33 and 45 centimetres).

Mating usually happens during the spring, and the Egyptian mongoose normally has an annual litter, composed of two to four offspring. Pregnancy lasts less than three months (84 days) and birth occurs in July and August. Adults weigh between two and four kilograms and, on average, live from 12 to 20 years, if they survive diseases and threats in their environment.

Although typically wild, the Egyptian Mongoose continues to be “domesticated” by some civilisations, notably in North Africa. Its natural instinct is used to protect mainly farmlands.

Did you know that…

• The Egyptian mongoose is native to the coastal regions between North Africa and Turkey, off the Mediterranean. Its introduction in the Iberian Peninsula remains a mystery.
• This animal can choose a natural hiding place, like a crack in a rock, or an abandoned burrow. Or it can dig its own burrow.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies this species as “Least Concern” (LC) on the Red List.
• The Egyptian Mongoose can swim well and resort to water to escape a predator and to “play.”
• As a rule, these animals arch their backs and have bristly hair when in a situation of threat or excitement.