<P> This species of mongoose is sympatric with Herpestes edwardsii in much of its native range and can be readily distinguished from the latter species by its much smaller size . The body is slender and the head is elongated with a pointed snout . The lengths of the head and body is 509 - 671mm . The ears are short . They have five toed feet with long claws . Genders differ in size with males having a wider head and bigger bodies . </P> <P> They use about 12 different vocalizations . </P> <P> This species occurs naturally throughout most of southern mainland Asia, from Iraq to China, as well as on the island of Java, at altitudes up to 2200 m . It has also been introduced to dozens of islands in the Pacific and Caribbean (including Saint Lucia, Jamaica and Puerto Rico), as well as a few in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean, as well as to mainland Venezuela . It is capable of living among fairly dense human populations . </P> <P> Mongooses live in scrublands and dry forest . On Pacific Islands they live in rainforests as well . </P>

Where is the small indian mongoose native to