#bokiboky

[b0chelly]

Bokiboky (Mungotictis decemlineata)

[striped-civet]

Bokiboky (Mungotictis decemlineata) Kirindy Private Reserve, Morondava, Madagascar

Photos [1, 2] © Allan Hopkins

[cypherdecypher]

Animal of the Day!

Bokiboky (Mungotictis decemlineata)

(Photo from Marwell Zoo)

Conservation Status- Endangered

Habitat- Madagascar

Size (Weight/Length)- 750 g; 30 cm

Diet- Insects

Cool Facts- Also called the narrow-striped mongoose, bokiboky are found only in Madagascar. These mongoose live in small family groups. The males and females live in separate groups, only coming together in the breeding season. A singular male group will most likely patrol three or four female groups during the breeding season to further increase their chances of having offspring. Baby bokiboky only have a 28% of survival, usually the dominant female’s offspring will be the only one in the group that manages to survive. Bokiboky make nests in trees. It has been recorded that certain species of lemur will share nests with bokiboky, sleeping together. Like many creatures native to Madagascar, bokiboky are endangered due to deforestation rapidly destroying their home.

Rating- 11/10 (Pronounced boo-ky boo-ky.)

[1000flowersfortheplanet]

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #985 Save the Bokiboky

We return to Madagascar where the rainforests are being depleted more and more each year, threaten all the creatures that depend on the forest for their existence. With this widespread loss of habitat, which has triple since 2003 where the bokiboky live, this species has now been upgraded on the Red List from vulnerable to endangered. Furthermore, in addition to habitat loss the bokiboky are hunted by people and killed by non-native species (introduced by humans), and this combo will result in half the population disappearing within 20 years. How do we prevent this? Monitoring and research may help, management and protection of habitat may also help, but unless we curb our need to clear rainforest, will we be able to save this species?