The short-tailed mongoose (Urva brachyura) is a mongoose species native to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. It inhabits evergreen forest and rural gardens from sea level to an elevation of 1,500 m (4,900 ft). It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List since 2008.

It was first described by John Edward Gray in 1837.

It is red-brown to black and has black limbs. The head is grayish with a black spot on the chin. Its total body length is 60–65 cm (24–26 in) including a 25 cm (9.8 in) short tail. It weighs about 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).[citation needed]

Subspecies

  • U. b. brachyura
  • U. b. hosei (by some considered a species, Hose's mongoose Herpestes hosei)
  • U. b. javanensis
  • U. b. palawanus
  • U. b. parvus
  • U. b. sumatrius