April 17

Because they are everywhere, we have been trying to get a picture of a mongoose since we arrived in Suva.  We have captured many pictures of empty grass and bushes with nothing under them; in other wards, mongooses are really elusive.  Yes, I pluralized that word correctly; according to the dictionary the plural of mongoose is mongooses not mongeese or mongoose. Why oh why must English be so contrary?

Last week we were sitting in our van in the parking lot of the University of the South Pacific talking about an institute problem.  As we were talking, we realized that there was a mongoose on the lawn in front of the van moving from place to place sticking his nose into the grass.  I slowly and quietly got the camera out; do not ask me why as the mongoose was too far away to hear me or notice my movements.

I got the following pictures.  Aah success at last.

The Elusive Mongoose

Although in a family of its own, the mongoose reminds me of an otter; having a long face and body with short legs and long tapering tails.  They are not native to Fiji, but came here, I am sure, with the Indians brought here to work in the sugar cane fields.  

Here he is poking his head into the grass.  Right after this picture was taken, the mongoose lifted his head and in his mouth was a live wiggly gecko.  The mongoose turned and swiftly ran into what must have been his home in the ground.  Lunch is served.