Mongooses
Kruger Park Wildlife
© Banded Mongoose © Nigel Dennis
There are eight species of mongoose found in Kruger National Park, the most common being the dwarf, banded and slender mongooses. Kruger scientists estimating that for every 100 square kilometres there are 668 mongooses.
They use termite mounds for shelter and feed mostly on insects. The rarest mongoose in Kruger is Selous's mongoose, which is found only in the Shingwedzi area in the north.
Slender Mongoose (Galerella sanguinea)
Characteristics
Most common mongoose in Victoria Falls area; lives singly or in pairs, very long tail with conspicuous black tip.
Food
Rodents, snakes and reptiles, birds' eggs, insects and sometimes wild fruit.
Where best to see them in Kruger
Variety of habitats throughout Kruger.
Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo)
Characteristics
Very social, noisy, brown-grey animals that live in packs of about 20 individuals; very active during the day, disappearing quickly when alarmed.
Food
Mostly insects but also rodents, reptiles, birds, eggs, fruit and berries.
Where best to see them in Kruger
Open dry savanna of eastern Kruger.
Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula)
Characteristics
Smallest of the African mongooses; very social, diurnal animals living in groups of between 8 and 20 individuals; very curious nature; seeks refuge in hollow logs or holes in termitaria.
Food
Mostly insects but also birds, eggs, millipedes, scorpions, small reptiles and wild fruits.
Where best to see them in Kruger
Dry savanna and mixed woodlands.
Illustration: Chip SnaddonBanded Mongoose (Mungos mungo) males are only heavier than females during the immature stages. In adulthood both sexes are similar in size and mass...
moreThe Common Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula) is the smallest of the mongoose family, and both males and females weigh only 350-400 gr. Total length is...
moreSlender Mongoose (Galerella sanguinea), also known as the Black-tipped Mongoose or the Black-tailed Mongoose. Slender Mongoose females attain a mass...
moreSmall Grey Mongoose. Males are larger than females at 500 - 1000 gr. Total body length varies from 550 mm to 690 mm. Tail length between 200-340 mm...
moreThe Afrikaans name Meerkat refers to either the Yellow Mongoose or the Suricate, and is a derivate of a Dutch terms denoting a diet of ants. The Suricate...
moreWith an overall length of 800 to 1000 mm, this is a large and robust mongoose. It has a mass of between 2.5 to 4.2 kg. Their tails are 300-410 mm long...
moreWhite-tailed Mongoose [Ichneumia albicauda] No size difference exists between the sexes, which are physically similar in appearance. Body length...
moreYellow Mongoose. Total length is 400-600 mm, with a tail length of 180-250 mm. Mass is about 450-900 g. Has a triangular shaped face with a pointed snout...
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