The ring-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans), also known as the ring-tailed mongoose, is a small carnivorous mammal native to Madagascar. Here’s a description of its distribution within the country:

1. Madagascar: Ring-tailed vontsiras are found throughout various regions of Madagascar, inhabiting a range of habitats including rainforests, dry deciduous forests, and spiny forests. They are particularly common in the eastern and northeastern parts of the island, but their distribution extends across much of Madagascar.

Ring-tailed vontsiras are agile predators with slender bodies and long tails, which they use for balance while hunting in trees and on the ground. They have sharp claws and teeth adapted for catching and consuming a variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles.

Despite being native to Madagascar, ring-tailed vontsiras are relatively understudied, and their population status and conservation status are not well-documented. However, like many species in Madagascar, they likely face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human encroachment. Conservation efforts are needed to protect their habitats and ensure their long-term survival.