Galidiinae

The term "Galidiinae" refers to a subfamily of Malagasy mongooses, comprising five species across four genera, all found exclusively on Madagascar. These animals are closely related to fossas, falanoucs, and fanalokas. The subfamily includes genera such as Galidictis (striped mongooses), Galidia (ring-tailed mongoose), Mungotictis (narrow-striped mongoose), and Salanoia (brown-tailed mongoose). While often referred to as mongooses, they are classified within the family Eupleridae, distinct from the Herpestidae family which encompasses mongooses found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The genus Galidia specifically includes the ring-tailed mongoose, distinguished by its black-ringed tail.12