The cusimanse (Crossarchus obscurus), also known as the long-nosed kusimanse or common kusimanse, is a dwarf mongoose. It has a a very slender nose which is why it is also known as the slender nosed mongoose. It is a highly social animal which lives in a small family group of 10 to 20 or more individuals, with a strict hierarchical structure. It has a variety of threat displays which include various growls and snorts, as well as physical movements such as lunging, back arching, and hair erection. It is capable of climbing, but tends to restrict most of its activities to the ground. The cusimanse are found in the West African countries of Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire in forested areas near water, in farm bush, logged forest and plantations.
See also: Dwarf mongoose
