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What the sources say

Egyptian MongooseHerpestes ichneumon

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Egyptian Mongoose profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 41 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Herpestes ichneumon (Egyptian mongoose). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysThe Egyptian mongoose, which Animal Diversity Web also calls the ichneumon, has a reputation for snake killing
The source saysIchneumons have a reputation for snake killing.
The page saysFacing a snake, it can predict and dodge the strike, then catch the snake's head before another strike comes
The source saysEgyptian Mongooses have the ability to predict and dodge the strike of a snake attack and then catch the snakes head before another strike
The page saysIf excited, it can bristle its hair and arch its back to appear twice its actual size
The source saysIf excited, H. ichneumon can bristle its hair and arch its back to appear two times its actual size.
The page sayserecting its hair on the attack is thought to confuse the snake
The source saysthey erect all the hair on their bodies when on the attack. This is thought to confuse the reptile
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says the common belief that mongooses are immune to snake poisons "is not so"
The source saysIt is commonly believed that mongooses are immune to snake poisons, but this is not so.
The page saysA body 48 to 60 centimetres long trails a bushy tail that ends in a black tassel and runs another 33 to 54 centimetres
The source saysthe long, bushy tail, which ends in a black tassel ... The body length is 48 to 60 cm with the tail measuring 33 to 54 cm.
The page saysa long, low-slung form that appears reptilian from a distance
The source saysThey have a long, low-slung form which appears reptilian from a distance.
The page saysIt weighs 1.7 to 4 kilograms
The source saysRange mass 1.7 to 4 kg
The page saysEach short leg carries five digits, and the front claws are sharp and curved for digging
The source saysshort legs with five digits on each limb ... foreclaws that are sharp and curved for digging
The page saysA narrow strip of bare skin rings each eye
The source saysA narrow, naked strip of skin surrounds the eyes.
The page saysits 35 to 40 teeth include carnassials well developed for shearing flesh
The source saysThese animals have 35 to 40 teeth of which the carnassal are well developed for sheering flesh.
The page saysA two-year study in Spain's Doñana National Park found average group sizes of anywhere from one to seven, with adults seen alone or in pairs all year and food the main pressure preventing large, stable groups
The source saysA two year study of Egyptian mongooses in Donana National Park found the average group size to be anywhere from one to seven. Adults were spotted in pairs or living alone all year long. Environmental pressures, mainly food, prevented large stable groups.
The page saysWhen one mongoose follows another, it keeps its nose on the leader's anus for orientation, a habit that starts when the young follow their mothers closely
The source sayswhen one animal follows another, it has its nose on the anus of the leader for orientation. This behavior originates when young mongooses closely follow their mothers.
The page saysScent marks from the same anal glands could signal a female's readiness to breed or mark an individual or a pack
The source saysScent markings with these same anal glands could communicate a female's estrous condition and/or act as a marker for an individual or a pack.
The page saysIts diet runs from invertebrates, fish and amphibians to reptiles, birds and mammals, with fruit now and then
The source saysMeals consist of invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Sometimes, H. ichneumon even dines on fruit.
The page saysEggs are a favored delicacy, and Animal Diversity Web says mongooses crack them by throwing them through their hind legs against something hard, like a rock or wall
The source saysEggs are a favored delicacy ... Mongooses have an interesting way of eating eggs: they throw them through their hind legs against something hard like a rock or wall.
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says Egyptian mongooses appear in Egyptian paintings going back to around 300 B.C.
The source saysEgyptian mongooses have been immortalized in Egyptian paintings going back to around 300 B.C.
The page saysIt says the animal was known as the "Pharaoh's Cat" and considered holy, housed in temples and set against snakes in arenas
The source saysIt was known as the "Pharaoh's Cat" and was considered a holy animal. They were housed in temples and were put as gladiators in arenas to dual with snakes.
The page saysSkulls have been found in tombs, and mummified remains have been discovered
The source saysSkulls of these animals were found in tombs and also mummified remains have been discovered.
The page saysGround burrows, rock crevices, and trees near water across most of Africa, Spain, Portugal, and Israel, plus farmland and canal banks
The source saysHerpestes ichneumon is distributed in Spain, Portugal, Israel, and most of Africa except for central Zaire, the West African lowland forests and southeastern South Africa ... Egyptian mongooses are ground inhabitants who prefer regions with trees near water. They hide and find shelter in burrows, hollow logs or trees, holes in the ground, and rock crevices ... Today their habitat also includes cultivated fields and vegetated canal banks.Note: stats.habitat
The page saysInvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, eggs, and sometimes fruit
The source saysMeals consist of invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Sometimes, H. ichneumon even dines on fruit. Eggs are a favored delicacy.Note: stats.diet
The page saysPredicts and dodges a snake's strike, then catches its head before another strike
The source saysEgyptian Mongooses have the ability to predict and dodge the strike of a snake attack and then catch the snakes head before another strikeNote: stats.superpower
The page saysA snake-killer that dodges the strike on reflex
The source saysEgyptian Mongooses have the ability to predict and dodge the strike of a snake attackNote: tagline
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says the species got its scientific name because it was believed to track down crocodile eggs, but whether that is true "is still unknown."
The source saysThe Egyptian mongooses came by their scientific name because the animal was believed to track down crocodile eggs. Whether or not that is true is still unknown.Note: FAQ 1
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web says it has been described as everything from solitary to living in pairs to hunting in packs. Some scientists say it has an active social life, but the page says there is "little documentation" for that.
The source saysIt is said to be everything from a solitary creature to living in pairs to tending to hunt in pacts. Some scientists say they have active social lives but there is little documentation for this.Note: FAQ 3
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web records that they enter water quickly and swim well, and that they also like to bask in the morning sun.
The source saysThey will quickly enter water and swim well. They love to bask in the morning sun.Note: FAQ 4
The page saysFacing a snake, an Egyptian mongoose predicts and dodges the strike, then catches the head before another strike comes
The source saysEgyptian Mongooses have the ability to predict and dodge the strike of a snake attack and then catch the snakes head before another strike
The page saysdangerLevel: Low
The source saysis capable of killing harmless birds and mammals and other desirable wildlife. This has lead to the extinction and endangerment of some species. They are also a serious pest to chicken farmers.

Source
02

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources

Herpestes ichneumon. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources.

The page saysThe ageing database AnAge says it may live up to 12 years in the wild
The source saysIn the wild, these animals may live up to 12 years
The page saysIts maximum lifespan has not been pinned down. One captive animal was reported to live over 20 years, but AnAge calls that dubious because no other captive animal lived more than 12.8 years, and says further studies are needed.
The source saysThere are reports of one captive animal living over 20 years [ 0434 ], which is dubious as no other captive animal lived more than 12.8 years [ 0671 ]. Further studies are necessary to establish the maximum longevity of this species.Note: FAQ 2; 'because' renders AnAge's 'which is dubious as'
The page saysweightKg: 2.2
The source saysAdult weight 2,200 g

Source
03

Borralho et al. 1996

Borralho et al. (1996). The distribution of the Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon (L.) in Portugal. Mammal Review.

The page saysIn Portugal, a study published in 1996 found its northern limit had extended well beyond the Tagus River across most of its Portuguese range, indicating a probable expansion in the years before
The source saysThe present northern limit of its distribution has extended well beyond the Tagus River in most of its Portuguese range, indicating a probable expansion in recent years.Note: 1996 is the reference's publication year (Borralho et al. 1996); 'in the years before' renders the abstract's 'in recent years', dated to the study

Source
04

Gaubert et al. 2025

Gaubert et al. (2025). Herpestes ichneumon. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T41613A278643105.

The page saysToday the IUCN lists the species as Least Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC). Herpestes ichneumon (Linnaeus, 1758), IUCN taxon 41613.Note: Category read through GBIF's copy of the Red List (iucnredlist.org refuses scripts), taxon id 41613 checked against the one inside the assessment DOI 10.2305/iucn.uk.2025-1.rlts.t41613a278643105.en
The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC). Herpestes ichneumon (Linnaeus, 1758), IUCN taxon 41613.Note: stats.conservationStatus; same GBIF check as the body's status sentence

Source
05

Jansa & Voss 2011

Jansa & Voss (2011). Adaptive Evolution of the Venom-Targeted vWF Protein in Opossums that Eat Pitvipers. PLoS ONE.

The page saysthis species is resistant to α-bungarotoxin, a neurotoxin found in cobra venom
The source saysmongooses ( Herpestes ichneumon ) and hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus ) ... resistant to α-bungarotoxin, a nonenzymatic neurotoxin found in cobra venom
The page sayssnake venoms typically contain dozens
The source saysBecause snake venoms typically contain dozens of toxic compounds
The page saysresists α-bungarotoxin, one of cobra venom's neurotoxins
The source saysmongooses ( Herpestes ichneumon ) and hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus ) ... resistant to α-bungarotoxin, a nonenzymatic neurotoxin found in cobra venomNote: stats.superpower
The page sayscarries a receptor that resists one of the nerve toxins in cobra venom
The source saysnicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in snakes and in two snake-eating Old World mammals ... mongooses ( Herpestes ichneumon ) ... resistant to α-bungarotoxin, a nonenzymatic neurotoxin found in cobra venomNote: tagline
The page saystags: immune-tank
The source saysmongooses ( Herpestes ichneumon ) and hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus ) ... resistant to α-bungarotoxin, a nonenzymatic neurotoxin found in cobra venom

Source
06

Chandrasekara et al. 2024

Chandrasekara et al. (2024). High-Voltage Toxin’Roll: Electrostatic Charge Repulsion as a Dynamic Venom Resistance Trait in Pythonid Snakes. Toxins.

The page saysIn this mongoose the receptor that cobra neurotoxins latch onto carries a sugar group that gets in the toxin's way
The source saysα-neurotoxin resistance is accomplished by target modification, attributed to either steric hindrance or electrostatic charge repulsion mechanisms ... The earliest recognized example of steric hindrance, N-glycosylation, was detected in the Egyptian Mongoose ( Herpestes ichneumon ), a predator of certain cobras ... This trait was later identified as a basal trait of the mongoose/meerkat family (Herpestidae)Note: blockquote; N-glycosylation attaches a sugar (glycan) to the receptor's binding site, the steric hindrance the paper names
The page saysIt was the earliest recognized example of that defence, and it was later identified as an ancestral trait of the mongoose and meerkat family.
The source saysα-neurotoxin resistance is accomplished by target modification, attributed to either steric hindrance or electrostatic charge repulsion mechanisms ... The earliest recognized example of steric hindrance, N-glycosylation, was detected in the Egyptian Mongoose ( Herpestes ichneumon ), a predator of certain cobras ... This trait was later identified as a basal trait of the mongoose/meerkat family (Herpestidae)Note: 'ancestral' renders the source's 'basal'

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.