The Indian Grey or Common Mongoose is native to the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. It is a grizzled grey or tawny colour with a long tail. Head/body length is 35-45cm and tail the same again. Living in varied habitats including close to humans, it is a brave animal, with individuals often seen taking on a cobra. Like all mongooses, they have a degree of immunity to venom. Thanks to Dr Harsha Vardhan Reddy for the photos.

The Small Indian Mongoose is native to the northern Indian subcontinent into Afghanistan and part of Iran and to Myanmar; there is also a separate native population in Iraq. It has been introduced elsewhere mainly on Caribbean and Pacific islands in attempts to control rats in sugar cane plantations and has had a devastating impact on small native wildlife (reptiles, birds, small mammals).

It looks similar to the Indian Grey Mongoose but is much smaller (head/body length 25-37cm plus tail 20-30cm). It lives in varied habitats including dry grasslands, dense forest and urban areas.