A Madagascar mongoose pair has joined Jersey Zoo!
Agnes and Vonathan are two ring-tailed vontsira, a species native to Madagascar.
They're known for their striking reddish-brown fur and ringed tail, and for being excellent hunters.
Their sharp claws, strong jaw, and acute sense of smell helps them capture prey such as small mammals, lizards, frogs, and eggs.
Agnes, 12, has arrived from Zie Zoo in the Netherlands, and Vonathan, 4, joins from Cerza Zoo in France.
Agnes is described as being very motivated by food, with crickets one of her firm favourites!
Zookeepers say Vonathan is shyer than Agnes, but is growing in confidence every day!
They are currently the only pair of ring-tailed vontsira to be held in a UK zoo, so the hope is they will go on to breed.
Sam Poole, Senior Keeper at Jersey Zoo, said:
"We’re incredibly excited to welcome such a rare and charismatic species to Jersey Zoo.
"Having these beautiful Malagasy carnivores is a great way to honour Durrell's longstanding history of working in Madagascar, where our team work tirelessly to protect some of the country’s most endangered wildlife.
"This species is unlike anything else currently at the zoo and we can’t wait for people to come and see them."
They can be found at Kirindy Forest, next to the greater bamboo lemurs.
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