The Ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans) is a small carnivore endemic to Madagascar. It inhabits moist forests, montane forests, dry forests, and other areas across the island, is diurnal, and is often active on the ground. Body length is about 32–38 cm and weight 700–900 g. It has a broad diet that includes small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, reptiles, fish, and fruit, and it may prey on poultry, leading to conflicts with humans. It rests in burrows or tree cavities at night and communicates between individuals using anal glands and vocalizations. The breeding season is April–November, gestation lasts 72–91 days, and usually a single offspring is born. It is currently listed as Least Concern on the Red List, but populations are declining due to habitat destruction, hunting, and competition with introduced species.