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Glite Dictionary
Herpestes

Herpestes

9.9
A group of small to medium meat-eating mammals like the mongoose found in Africa and southern Asia
  • noun
  • /hɜrˈpɛstiz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Herpestes
  • The Indian grey mongoose belongs to the genus Herpestes.

Examples

  • Several species within Herpestes are skilled at hunting venomous snakes.

  • The Herpestes genus includes several species of mongooses.

  • Scientists studied the habitats of various Herpestes species in Africa.

  • Did you know that Herpestes are known for their agility?

  • Scientists studied the habitats of various Herpestes species in Africa.

  • The Indian grey mongoose belongs to the genus Herpestes.

  • Several species within Herpestes are skilled at hunting venomous snakes.

Synonyms

genus Herpestes
vsHerpestes
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small mammals that eat meat and belong to the mongoose family found in Africa and southern Asia

is broader, covering small and medium sizes rather than only small

Compounds

genus Herpestes
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small mammals that eat meat and belong to the mongoose family found in Africa and southern Asia

Herpestes nyula
  • Specialized
9.9

A small animal like a ferret that hunts snakes and is often kept as a pet

Surface Forms

Herpestes singular
Herpestes plural

Etymology

Herpestes comes from an old Greek word herpein meaning 'to creep' or 'to crawl'. That's a good memory: mongooses are small animals that move low and quietly when they hunt snakes, so the name fits their creeping, hunting way.