Eastern Falanouc

The Falanouc has a head and body length of 450-650 mm, a tail length of 220-250 mm and weighs 2-4 kg. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat. The relatively stocky, low body has a small, narrow, delicate head, large ears and elongated, pointed snout. The soft, dense underfur is covered by long guard hairs. The longer hairs on the wide, cylindrical tail give it a bushy appearance. The short homodont teeth have a large single cusp, more closely resembling insectivore teeth than the shearing-crushing teeth of most carnivores. The flat premolars and molars curve backwards. Fat is stored in the tail for use during periods of low food abundance. The forepaws and impressive, non-retractile claws are well developed for digging (2). The falanouc lacks anal or perineal glands (unlike the fanaloka). This species has been recorded from Madagascar's eastern, northwestern and western coastal forests from sea level to 1,025 m (3). It occurs in wetlands or near wetlands in dense humid, lowland rainforests, dominated by Cyperaceae, Raphia, and Pandanus species (3) (east) or undisturbed areas of dry, deciduous forest found in the west (2,5) and is seldom found far from intact forest, but may be found in marshy areas. The eastern falanouc occurs from the Andohahela region in south-east Madagascar to the and Marojejy Massif in the north. The western falanouc ranges from the Tsaratanana Massif in the north-west, south to the northern limits of the Ankarafantsika area. Falanouc populations have also been found in the far north of the island (2). The shy, secretive falanouc is a largely solitary, nocturnal and crepuscular species, but diurnal activity and small groups have been seen. It defends large territories, marking the area with scents secreted from glands around the anus and neck. Itding, the falanouc spends the daylight hours sleeping under logs or in rock crevices and under similar ground cover (2). In April and May, the falanouc accumulates up to 800 g of fat in its tail. This helps it survive the cooler, drier winter months of June and July, when food is scarce. It has been suggested that the falanouc may hibernate in winter, but active falanouc have seen at this time (5). The falanouc uses its claws in self-defence, but does not bite. The falanouc is probably Madagascar's most specialised carnivore, feeding almost exclusively on earthworms, as well as slugs, snails, larvae and other small invertebrates (6), but it occasionally takes amphibians, insects or their larvae. Its elongate snout and insectivore-like teeth help it capture and process small invertebrate prey. It also uses its muscular forepaws and long claws to dig up prey while foraging in the leaf litter (3). In July and August, a brief courtship and mating period occurs. The one or two precocious young are born in a burrow from November-January after three months gestation. They weigh about 150 g at birth, are fully-furred and have open eyes. They can move with the mother through dense foliage when two days old. In nine weeks, the young eats solid food and soon leaves its mothers before the next mating season, when it weighs about 150 g (2,3). While it quickly gains mobility to follow its mother on forages, it grows at a slower rate than comparatively-sized carnivores.

The IUCN Red List Assessment in 1994 stated that this species was Near Threatened or Vulnerable. Over 10 years, the population reduction of this species, based on the impacts of habitat loss (given its mostly specialized diet and habitat needs) and widespread hunting and the effects of feral carnivores, is estimated at 20-25%, but could have been higher. Since 1996, it has been listed as Endangered (1). This is due to an increase of human impacts on Madagascar. Its numbers and distribution have declined due to deforestation to convert forest to cultivated land, logging, charcoal production, marsh drainage, hunting for food uses, predation by domestic dogs and cats and perhaps competition from the introduced Viverrricula indica, as well as hunting for its meat (5,6). Its range remains large, but it is very uncommon or rare throughout (6,7). Only in Amber Mountain and Andohahela National Parks are individuals seen regularly, but the falanouc occurs in other National Parks. In 1989, the IUCN/SSC Mustelid and Viverrid Specialist Group recommended conservation actions for the falanouc. These included improving the protection of reserves with falanouc populations, declaring marshlands as conservation areas and implementing complete, nationwide protection. The Group also recommended initiating an internationally-coordinated captive breeding program, but falanouc are very susceptible to stress and are hard to maintain in captivity (6). The falanouc has caused taxonomists problems for many years (4). It is a carnivore and resembles a mongoose, but its conical teeth so strongly resemble those of insectivores it was classed as one (5). It belongs to the family Eupleridae and is classified alongside its closest living relative, the fanaloka, in the subfamily Euplerinae (2). There are two subspecies: the eastern falanouc (E.g. goudotti) has light brown or fawn upperparts with russet spots and tinges around the thighs and pale grey-brown underparts. The western falanouc (E.g. major) may be 25-50% larger and has grey to rufous brown upperparts, with greyer fur on the head and tail. Males are brownish while females are grayish.