Photo credit: pciao / Hong Kong Bird Watching Society
8 Mongoose
There are two known species of mongoose in Hong Kong, and the more common (as well as the prettier) is the Small Asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus). They mainly inhabit open plains and wetlands, where they have easier access to their preferred diet of insects, amphibians, crabs, and eggs. Don’t let their cute appearance fool you—these are feisty little guys who will even take on the venomous Chinese cobra for a meal! There have been minimal sightings on Hong Kong island, but you might luck out at Tai Mo Shan, Tai Lam, Plover Cove, or more likely at the Mai Po marshes.
The other larger species is the Crab-eating mongoose (Herpestes urva), which can be identified by its grey-brown fur and a white stripe on the shoulder. They are rather rare and their distribution is restricted to northern Hong Kong, in Lin Ma Hang, Sha Tau Kok, Pat Sin Leng, Ma On Shan, and Plover Cove.