Featured Alien: Small Indian Mongoose

Scientific Name: Herpestes javanicus

How It Came To Hawai‘i :

In September 1883, the Hilo Planters Association released 72 mongooses from Jamaica along the Hamakua Coast on Hawai‘i Island. The mongoose was introduced to control rats in sugar cane fields. This alien was also brought to the islands of Maui and O‘ahu at about the same time.

Impact Since Its Arrival:

The mongoose was an excellent cane field ratter, but did not stay in the cane fields. It can be found in almost every habitat in Hawai‘i , though not on Kaua'i or Kaho'olawe. Although insects make up a large part of its diet, it is also a serious predator on ground-nesting birds such as seabirds and the nene goose.

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