Name
Banded Mongoose [Mungos mungo]Appearance
Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo) males are only heavier than females during the immature stages. In adulthood both sexes are similar in size and mass, weighing about 1.5 kg. This Mongoose is characterised by triangular shaped, pointed faces and flat broad ears.
They have long bushy tails and a long coarse coat. Colouration is greyish-brown with an unmistakable series of light and dark vertical bands across the back and flanks. Under parts are lighter with elegant dark legs.
Diet
Invertebrates constitute the major portion of the diet, particularly beetles and termites. Will occasionally also take larger prey such as rodents and snakes. Refuge dumps are often scavenged for edible titbits. Banded Mongoose also feed on eggs of ground nesting birds and reptiles. They clasp the eggs with their front paws and throw them behind them to try and break them.
Breeding
The Banded Mongoose litters average 2.6 young per female. Within a pack, litters are produced in synchrony after a gestation period of eight to nine weeks. Collective nursing of offspring takes place.
Breeding is normally restricted to the rainy season, and during her life time a female average 1.4 litters per year. 2 - 8 young are born in midsummer and are blind and partly-haired. The eyes open after about 10 days.
Behaviour
The Banded Mongoose lives in permanent and cohesive packs of between 6-40 individuals, consisting of on average 15 adults with their offspring. Group sizes in this species is largest for all carnivores. Both males and females transfers to new packs, and in this manner population gene flow is accomplished.Where Banded Mongoose Are Found
The distribution of Banded Mongoose in South Africa, is limited to eastern woodland savannas, ranging from the KwaZulu-Natal coastal area northwards into woodlands of Mpumalanga, Northern and North Western provinces and Mocambique. There is a distributional hiatus between the above and populations further north westerly in Botswana and Namibia.
Vital Statistics
- Weight (Female)
- 1, 0 - 1, 4 kg
- Weight (Male)
- 1, 0 - 1, 4 kg
- Length (Female)
- 55 cm
- Length (Male)
- 55 cm
- Gestation Period
- 2 months
- No of Young
- 2 - 8
- Sexual Maturity
- 1 year
- Birth Weight
- 20 g
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Viverridae
