DEADLY ON RATS.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, 11 September 1923, Page 7

DEADLY ON RATS.

LONDON EMPLOYS THE MONGOOSE The latest' move to check the plague of rats in London is the employment of the mongoose—the Rikki-Tikki-Tavi whose prowess in snake-killing has been immortalised by Mr, Kipling (states the London Evening Standard). A pair of these unusual animals in a cage carried by an errant girl in Tottenham Court Road caused inquiries, and a neighbouring naturalist, who sells all manner of strange beasts and birds, stated that there is a ready sale of mongooses for use against rats. A large wire case was produced with about a dozen of these long, low bodied animals, sinuous like weasels, with red eyes and mouth and bristling grey fur rather like a hedgehog. These are wild mongooses, caught in India, and brought to England. To be a family pet, as Rikki-Tikki was, a mongoose must be captured young and reared by hand. Occasionally, but only rarely, has the mongoose been known to breed in this country. But when released in a rat-ridden building a mongoose (there should be a pair to prevent straying) makes for the runs to establish a home and to kill the rats that are its natural prey and food. A saucer of milk placed out at night secures fidelity to its lawful owner and locality. In warehouses, stores and in private houses the value of the mongoose in reducing the number of rats has been satisfactorily proved.