The banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) is a highly gregarious carnivore with greyish-brown fur marked by a distinct series of light and dark vertical stripes, and males and females both weigh around 1.5 kg. In the Kruger National Park it can be spotted in and around the camps.
Banded Mongoose
Banded Mongoose [Mungos mungo]
Appearance
The Banded mongoose has a greyish-brown fur colour with a very distinct series of light and dark stripes that run vertically. The undersides of a Banded Mongoose are lighter than the rest of the fur and it has dark fur on its legs. The males and females weigh the same at around 1.5kg with the exception that the males weigh more when they are immature. The Banded Mongoose has a triangular shaped head with a pointy face and broad flat ears. They have coarse fur with thick bushy tails.
Diet
The Main diet of the Banded Mongoose consists of termites, beetles, bird eggs, invertebrates, rodents and snakes. The Banded Mongoose will also scavenge rubbish dumps for little snacks.
Breeding
The average size of a Banded Mongoose litter is about 2.5 young. After a gestation of about 9 weeks all litters are born, within a pack. Breeding is usually restrained to the rainy season and a single female can average 1.5 litters per year. When all young are born, all females take part in collective nursing. When pups are born, they are blind and are slightly covered in hair and only after 10 days do their eyes open.
Behaviour
Banded Mongoose live in a tight unison with each other and packs can average between 8 and 40 individuals. This number consists mainly of the adults with their young. Both the males and females can transfer to new packs which can ensure the gene flow.
Location
The layout of these highly gregarious carnivores in South Africa is mostly limited to Woodland savannas to the east, ranging from the woods of Mpumalanga to the coastal area of KwaZulu-Natal, including Northern and northwestern Provinces, Mozambique and Swaziland. You will be able to spot these critters in/ around the camps as well as during Kruger Day Safaris.
Spoor Identification
The Banded Mongoose has 5 toes on both front and hind feet. The 1st claw on the front feet may show when the animal is moving slowly but will be unseen when it runs or trots.
Study Notes
The banded mongoose can be very aggressive when threatened and backed in to a corner and there have been cases where a Banded Mongoose has stood up to a lion. The Banded Mongoose jumped and scratched the face of the lion out of self-defense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a banded mongoose eat?
The banded mongoose eats mainly termites, beetles, bird eggs, invertebrates, rodents and snakes. It will also scavenge rubbish dumps for little snacks.
How many banded mongooses live in a pack?
Banded mongoose packs average between 8 and 40 individuals, made up mainly of adults and their young. Both males and females can transfer to new packs, which helps ensure gene flow.
How do banded mongooses raise their young?
Breeding usually takes place in the rainy season, and after a gestation of about 9 weeks all the litters in a pack are born, with all the females taking part in collective nursing. Pups are born blind and lightly covered in hair, and their eyes open after 10 days.
Will a banded mongoose fight a lion?
Yes, when cornered — the banded mongoose can be very aggressive when threatened and backed into a corner, and there have been cases of one standing up to a lion, jumping up and scratching the lion’s face in self-defence.
Where do banded mongooses live in South Africa?
In South Africa the banded mongoose is mostly limited to woodland savannas in the east, from the woods of Mpumalanga to the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal, including the Northern and northwestern Provinces. It also occurs in Mozambique and Swaziland.
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